The Flavours of History

Transcription

1
‘The Flavours of History’
(From corn to chilli to curry)
First published by Peter J. Grove in 2010 copyright Peter & Colleen Grove ©
email : [email protected]
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means for onward transmission,
distribution or re-sale without the prior permission in writing of the authors.
Peter & Colleen Grove are also authors of
Curry Culture (2005 ISBN 0-9548303-0-X) & Curry, Spice & All Things Nice (2000 online)
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CONTENTS
Introduction – The Father of Organised Food Production
5-7
Chapter 1
Legend of Osiris
8
Chapter 2
Food History Timeline - 4 million years - 2000 years BC 9-11
Chapter 3
Food History Timeline – 2000 years BC to 0 BC
12-14
Chapter 4
Food History Timeline – 1 AD to 1499AD
15-16
Chapter 5
Food History Timeline – 1500 AD to 2000 AD
17-18
Chapter 6
Food Origins
19
Chapter 7
Dawn of History – the first 2 million years
20-31
Chapter 8
A Thousand Years of Conflict –
the first thousand years AD
32-35
Medieval to Modern – the last thousand years
36-51
Chapter 9
Appendix 1 - Medieval Focus ‘Pease Pudding & a suck of bacon’
52-55
Appendix 2 – History of Coffee Houses in Britain
56-59
Appendix 3 – History of the Ethnic Restaurant in Britain Indian/Asian-Oriental-Italian-Other
60-80
Appendix 4 - Dean Mahomed – First Man of Curry
81-84
Appendix 5 – Origins of Curry – Is it really English?
85-90
Appendix 6 – Is it or isn’t it? – The Chicken Tikka Masala Story
91-97
Appendix 7 – On the trail of the tandoor
98-102
Appendix 8 – The curryfication of the world
103-112
Bengal
Pakistan
Thailand
South Africa
Australia
Punjab
Nepal
Cambodia
Caribbean
South India
Sri Lanka
Myanmar
Ethiopia
Assam
Indonesia
China
East Africa
Bangladesh
Malaysia
Japan
Germany
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Appendix 9 – Compendium of food terms Avial
Cafreal
Dum Pukht
Karahi
Parthia
Sorpotel
Xacuti
Balti
Chettinad
Garam Masala
Kedgeree
Prawn Balchao
Tawa
Bhuna
CTM
Haandi
Korma
Raan
Thali
Indian
Biryani
Dhansak
Jardaloo
Madras
Rezala
Tikka
Mexican
Achiote
Frojoles
Salsa
Chalupas
Guacamole
Tamales
Chimichanga
Mole
Tostadas
Enchilada
Pipian
Middle Eastern
Couscous
Kibbeh
Tahini
Falafel
Mezze
Taramasalata
Fattoosh
Moussaka
Sambusak
Harissa
Pita
Oriental
Anhui
Dim Sum
Jiangsu
Ga Pad Khring
Red Curry
Rijsttafel
Shabu
Yakitori
Cantonese
Fujian
Shandong
Green Curry
TomYam Goong
Satay
Sukiyachi
Chop Suey
Hakka
Sichuan
Khao Pad
Beef Rendang
Kare Raisu
Sushi
Chow Mein
Huaiyang
Wonton
Massaman
Laksa
Ramen
Tempura
Appendix 10 - A – Z of Exotic Foods, Herbs & Spices
Allspice
Aubergine
Bay
Carrot
Cloves
Cucumber
Eggs
Garlic
Lettuce
Meat
Okra
Papaya
Pear
Plum
Radish
Salt
Sugars
Thyme
Almond
Avocado
Beet
Cauliflower
Chocolate
Cumin
Fennel
Ginger
Food & Lust
Melon
Olive
Parsley
Pineapple
Pomegranate
Rice
Sesame
Sunflower
Tomato
The Authors 268
Aniseed
Bamboo Shoots
Black Pepper
Chilli
Coconut
Curry Leaves
Fenugreek
Herbs
Lychee
Mint
Onion
Pasta
Pistachio
Poppy
Rosemary
Sichuan Pepper
Sweet Potato
Turkey
Bibliography
Apricots
Banana
Caraway
Cinnamon
Coffee
Dates
Fig
Honey
Mango
Mustard
Oregano
Peach
Plantain
Potato
Saffron
Spinach
Tamarind
Turmeric
113-133
Breads
Dopiaza
Jalfrezi
Pasanda
Rogan Josh
Vindaloo
134-136
Fajita
Quesadillas
137-139
Hummus
Tabbouleh
140-150
Crispy Duck
Hunan
Zhejiang
Pad Thai
Nasi Goreng
Sashimi
Teppanyaki
151-267
Asafoetida
Basil
Cardamom
Citrus Fruits
Coriander
Dill
Galangal
Legumes
Marination
Nutmeg
Palm
Peanut
Plants
Pumpkin
Sage
Anise
Tea
Vanilla
268-269
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By Peter & Colleen Grove
“All history is written by someone with a personal agenda - the victor - the
enthusiast - the detached intellectual - the critic and, hopefully sometimes, by the
seeker after truth and balance in all their shades.”
Introduction The Father of Organised Food Production
Whilst the compilation of this book has been a labour of love as much as a voyage of
discovery, it has had, by virtue of the very nature of dealing with times long past,
pitfalls and anomalies that lurk around every corner.
Take, for example, the calendar as we know it. Pope Gregory XIII (1502-1585)
decided to reform the Julian calendar which was 11 mins 14 sec longer than the solar
year causing a loss of 10 days by 1582. The obvious answer was to just drop them and
the same was agreed upon when Great Britain adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752
- although this time we lost 11 days with the next day after September 2nd being
September 14th! USSR did not come on board until 1918 and Greece not until 1923.
If this is not enough the Jewish calendar is completely different dating from 3761
B.C. when the world was created according to the Old Testament and Islam operates
on yet another system as does China.
A quoted year can therefore depend on the perspective of the person quoting it. Even
the standard ‘B.C.’ and ‘A.D.’ system has its problems with many scholars claiming
that Jesus was, in fact, probably born between 7 and 4 B.C.! With an intervening
cushion of two thousand years, these odd few years may not seem too important but
as you dip further into pre-history, the problems with precise dating become more
acute. Carbon dating and other modern methods have helped considerably but once
one looks back beyond 3 - 4000 B.C., the variations in dates between experts seem to
range from a few hundred years up to an entire millennium.
The dates quoted in this volume are the best consensus of opinion from a multitude of
learned works in an effort to give a feeling for the flow of events and a flavour of how
food production began and developed throughout history to the present day.
As we have neared modern times we have narrowed our area of interest down to the
food phenomenon of the latter half of the last century, the ethnic sector which now,
for the first time in history, allows the cuisines of the world to impact on all in Britain
who wish to enjoy them.
5
The Legend Begins
One popular school of thought is that civilisation and organised food production
developed in three main areas of the World, the Far East, Middle East and West,
completely spontaneously and without outside influence, with 4000 - 3000 B.C. being
the favourite period for the event, quoting civilisations ranging from Sumer to
Brittany.
Not only is this rather unromantic but seems to be contradicted by many
archaeological facts as we know them. As an interesting and quite plausible
alternative we therefore offer the legend of Osiris who could well have been the father
of food production worldwide. Osiris, although later to become an Egyptian god and a
figure irrevocably interwoven with myth and religious belief, did, according to
available evidence, have an historical existence. Although his legend is based around
happenings in the Nile Delta of Egypt, it is known he came from elsewhere, possibly
Jordan or Mesopotamia, the cradle of modern civilisation (although even this has been
disputed recently in favour of the Nile Delta once again).
Around 10,500 - 10,000 B.C. life was still nomadic and population very fluid based
on the hunter-gatherer mode of existence. People had known how to manipulate
grains and animals for some time but they still only used what nature provided and
moved on to the next natural pantry.
This, of course, scarcely lent itself to empire building or the growth of wealth in its
natural form so pressures grew for a new system to allow for the final retreat of the
Ice Age and gradual population growth.
According to legend which may have a base in fact, Osiris was possibly the first man
to recognise there was another way; a way for the future. It is said to be him, or
someone under his direction, who discovered how to cultivate corn and cleverly built
up a religion and belief system amongst his people with him as Priest-King, so that
the world’s first organised abundant supply of food was caused to be grown.
Historically speaking, life in the area changed overnight. Instead of small groups
ranging far and wide to gather and hunt for food merely to survive, many people were
able to live in one area and produce food in excess of their own requirements for the
first time ever.
The River Nile had a great influence on this development due to its flood nature,
giving abundant water in one season and drought and starvation in another. The
importance of the life-giving water was not lost on the people and gradually it merged
into a religion centred around Osiris and the river’s serpentine shape, with ebb and
flow representing good and evil.
The excess of food encouraged Osiris’ people to trade and develop further with the
Nile as a natural highway. The area became a natural crucible for innovation and
invention ranging from the discovery of the potters wheel by Ptah and a specialised
style of boat building. Boat design and navigation knowledge was handed on to the
adventurous Phoenicians who traded from Carthage to the British Isles and Spain to
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the Indian Ocean, even circumnavigating Africa from the Red Sea to Gibraltar in the
time of Pharaoh Necho (609 -93 B.C.).
Influence pushed further afield to the Far East with the same potter’s wheel being reinvented in China by Shen-ming and in Japan by a Korean monk named Gyogi. Even
Chinese junks seen today, closely resemble the original Egyptian design of
Phoenician times.
The serpent myth of Osiris the deified is mirrored throughout the world. In Greece
Dionysis or Bacchus is said to be one and the same as Osiris whilst the serpent of the
deep that he was believed to have become after his death, is repeated in the famous
dragon of China and Indra, the drought dragon of India. As such Egyptian Pharoahs
became avatars of Osiris or Horus and the influence on China is reflected by
Emperors becoming an avatar of the dragon or water serpent.
Legend even has Osiris linked with an ‘Island of the Blest’ where the plant of
immortality or something similar grows, which is also repeated in many parts of the
world including Britain’s Arthurian legends.
A belief in Osiris as father of organised food production certainly has an element of
fact within it even if considered scientifically fanciful by some more sceptical
scholars. However, all known evidence indicates that the area of Rivers Tigris,
Euphrates and Nile was the cradle of modern civilisation and of the great diversity of
foods and cuisines we enjoy 11,000 years later, so who knows, the legend may be
true!
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Chapter 1
THE LEGEND OF OSIRIS
The legend of Osiris the deity has been passed on to us by Plutarch and is
therefore well documented. Osiris is the Greek rendering of the Egyptian Ousir.
Originally he was a nature god and embodied the spirit of vegetation and the ebb
and flow of the Nile, as one might expect, but later became worshipped as the
god of the dead.
Legend has it that he was born in Thebes of Geb and Nut who ascended to rule the
heavens on their death. This is supported in Plutarch's De Iside et Osiride quoting
Osiris as son of Rhea, the Egyptian Nut, the wife of Helios, the Egyptian Ra, by
Kronos, the Egyptian Seb. He was handsome, dark-skinned and taller than other men.
When he became King of Egypt he married his sister Isis and immediately taught his
people to produce grain and grapes for bread and wine. It was he who created the god
cult and built temples and gave law to his people.
He then spread civilisation the world over based on non violence leaving Isis to rule in
his place but on his return became victim of his evil, jealous brother Set. In the 28th
year of his reign Osiris was tricked into a box to meet his death and cast into the Nile.
His loving wife immediately set to searching for the box and when it was found hid it
whilst their posthumous son Horus was being born. Unfortunately Set found the
hiding place and dismembered the body casting it around the kingdom.
Such was her love that Isis resumed the search once more and found every part of
Osiris except for the phallus and with the aid of sorcery brought him back to life.
Horus then battled Set and eventually won and when the gods judged the case they
found Osiris to be entirely innocent of all blame and deserving of life once more.
However, he preferred to leave Horus as king and depart this earthly life to live in the
Elysian Fields where he welcomed the souls of the just. His tomb is said to be in
Abydos in the Nile Delta. He was worshipped widely as a trinity with Isis and Horus
and was identified with Dionysus and Hades, and Isis also took on many other names
in other religions such as Demeter, Hera, Selene and even Aphrodite.
Osiris, under different names, is represented in the myths of many countries, often in
his dragon or serpent incarnation reflecting the winding shape of the River Nile.
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Chapter 2
Food History Time Line
4.6 million - 2000 B.C.
Precambrian period
4,650,000,000-700,000,000 Paleozoic
B.C
570,000,000 B.C.
Shellfish - Trilolites
500,000,000 B.C.
Fish - Chordates
430,000,000 B.C.
Vascular Land Plants
395,000,000 B.C.
Amphibian - Insects
345,000,000 B.C.
Fern Forests
320,000,000 B.C.
Reptiles
Mesozoic
225,000,000 B.C.
Triassic - Dinosaurs - Mammals
200,000,000 B.C.
Pangaea - one landmass attached to Antartica
195,000,000 B.C.
Jurassic - Birds
180,000,000 B.C.
Pangaea splits into Laurasia and Gondwanaland
136,000,000 B.C.
Cretaceous - Primaye - Flowering Plants
100,000,000 B.C.
Supercontinents split to make Atlantic
Cenozoic
65,000,000 B.C.
Dinosaurs disappeared
65,000,000 - 12,000,000
B.C.
Tertiary - Grazing and Carniverous Mammals
2,500,000 B.C.
Pleistocene - Human beings - Late in Pleistocene humans crossed over to
the New World via the Bering land bridge.
2 million BC
Earliest tool making in East Africa.
500,000 BC
Cave dwellers use fire (Homo Erectus), but only from natural sources.
Making of recognisable tools.
300,000 BC
Ice Age reaches Europe. Southern Europe turned into chilly tundra.
250,000 BC
Indian sub-continent first populated.
200,000 BC
Neanderthal Man evolves in Asia and colonises Europe.
150,000 BC
Homo Sapiens evolves in Africa and starts to move outwards to Nile
Valley - India - Malaysia and to Australia and through Russia to China
and also into Europe.
125,000 BC
Ice Age forces Neanderthals into Near East. Homo Sapiens migrates to
Near East.
50,000 BC
Plants and animals used as more than mere food in, and near China.
40,000 BC
Homo Sapiens sweeps into Europe in large numbers
38,000 BC
Crudely fashioned fish hooks in evidence.
33,000 BC
Homo Sapiens arrives in the Americas from Asia.
30,000 BC
Neanderthal Man extinct. - Bow and arrow invented
9
14,000 BC
Dogs tamed in S.E. Europe
12,500 BC
Ice retreats.
12,000 - 9,000 BC
Early manipulation of plants and animals.
10,050 BC to10,000 BC
End of Ice Age. End of Paleolithic era - Mesolithic era begins.
Possible time of Osiris supported by many astrological theories.
9,000 BC
Sheep and goat farming in Eurasia, plus wheat and barley. Open
settlements in Iraq, Jericho and Jordan. First pottery appears in Japan.
8,900 BC
Evidence of farming at Sharidar in Kurdistan.
8,000 BC
Neolithic Man learns to make fire by friction. Large animals start to
disappear as climate heats up. Start of cultivation in Mesoamerica, Middle
and Far East. Intensified exploration of resources and technological
innovation. Jericho exists as a city of 10 acres. Fishing traps in use.
8,000 BC
Cattle in Eurasia.
7,900 BC
Oldest known surviving piece of pottery found in China dated to this
period.
7,800 BC
Nautufian Jericho the oldest recorded town
7,000 BC
Chillies are gathered in South America - lima beans in Peru.
6,500 BC
Cattle farming known - also pigs, chickpeas and lentils.
6,000 BC
Millet popular in north China. Olive Oil known. Wine making is started,
probably in Caucasia or Mesopotamia. Pottery appears in East
Mediterranean basin to Zagros (Iran). peasant farming in Greece. Catal
Huyuk in Turkey is a town of 32 acres. Britain becomes an island.
5,000 BC
Rice farming in Yangtze Delta - short and long grain. Peasant farming in
South Balkans. Sumerians rule in Mesopotamia. Earliest use of the wheel.
Kept sheep, cattle, donkeys and cultivated dates and cereals. Primitive
farming in Tehuuacan, Mexico. Chillies are cultivated in South America
5,000 – 4,500 BC
Metallurgy spreads from Balkans.
4,300 BC
Nile Valley settled by two tribes under the Pharoah.
4,241 BC
Egyptians create the calendar.
4,000 BC
Cattle farming expands. Raised bread starts. Large farming villages exist
in China (Yellow River). First city state founded in Mesopotamia.
Neolithic cultures from East introduce agriculture to Aegean. Farming in
Lower Thames Valley in Britain
3,600 BC
Troy founded by Neolithic settlers from Kum Tepe by the Dardenelles.
3,500 BC
Winter squash, tomatoes, avocadoes, beans, corn, used as staples in
Central America. Potatoes in Peru, plus millet, rice, wheat, coconuts,
bananas in Asia. Two wheel carts exist in Sumeria.
3,200 BC
Silk weaving discovered in China.
3,100 BC
Egypt unified. Archaic Period (Dynasty 1 - II) to 2686 BC
3,000 BC
Lebanon settled by Canaanites, later known as Phoenicians. Ur in
Mesopotamia are eating cereals and vegetables flavoured with watercress
and mustard seeds and leaves and invent beer.Cuniform writing started by
the Sumerians. Shen Nung assembles the first documentation on herbs.
Turmeric, cardamom and pepper are grown in India and mustard in
China. Shortly after this, ginger and cinnamon arrive from the tropical
forests of Southeast Asia and Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Vines cultivated in
Egypt and Phoenicia for wine-making. Horses in Russia.Mesopotamia
well versed in beer brewing. Llama and alpaca domesticated in Andes.
2,852 BC
China ruled by The Three Sovereigns.
2,800 BC
Cretans already an influence in Aegean, having originally come from the
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Levant. Cultivation of rice evident in China
2,700 BC
Silbury Hill created.
2,686 – 2,181 BC
Old Kingdom in Egypt (Dynasty III - VI)
2,680 - 2,565 BC
Pyramids built in Egypt.
2,500 BC
Olive oil popular in Crete. Thriving community in Indus Valley. Rice in
Central India to Taiwan. Ancient Egyptians regularly using spices,
especially cumin, anise and cinnamon in their embalming processes.
Others starting to be mixed into cosmetics, purifying incenses and foods.
Egyptian sailors trading for cassia and cinnamon in the Land of Punt
(Somalia). First sea spice routes established, passing up the west coast of
India, along the Arabian coast and through the Red Sea to Egypt. The
Bible refers to spices as part of everyday life during the period: In
Ezekiel, cassia and calamus is placed in Phoenicia; Moses is said to have
used myrrh, cinnamon and calamus in the oil prepared to anoint the Ark
of the Covenant; Joseph, of the many-coloured coat, was sold by his
brothers to a camel train carrying spicery, gold and myrrh. Cumin, anise
and cinnamon used for embalming in Egypt.
2,300 BC
Cheese used in Egypt.
2,200 BC
Semite Amonites settle around Babylon.
2,070 BC
Hitites attack Mesopotamia, introducing horses for war.
2,000 BC
Greek speaking peoples emerge ruled by a heroic warrior class.
Winemaking now widespread throughout Greece. Chickens recorded in
India.
11
Chapter 3
Time Line
2000 B.C. to Year 0
2,000 - 1,500 BC
Abraham(Abram son of Terah, descendent of Shem also Ibrahim,
ancestor of Arabs through Ishmael) lived in Ur on the Tigris. Crete was
the centre of the Minoan civilisation - 8,000 live in the capital, Cnossos.
Myceans come to Greece from the north. Aryans from Russia and
Turkistan invade India over the Hindu Kush. Stonehenge in England
built.
Ice cream in China (2,000BC) - a soft milk and rice concoction. Period
of Hsia Dynasty (2000-1520 BC)
1991 - 1786 BC
Kingdom in Egypt (XII Dynasty)
1786 - 1552 BC
Second Intermediate Period in Egypt (XIII - XVII Dynasty)
1552 - 1069 BC
New Kingdom Period in Egypt (XVIII - XX Dynasty)
1520 - 1030 BC
Shang Dynasty in China encourages food preparation and service is
ritualised.
1500 BC
Aryans invade India
1262 BC
The Exodus of the Children of Israel from Egypt.
1200 BC
Trojan Wars. Break-up of Empire of Crete. First swords made from iron
in Egypt.
1180 BC
Troy falls to the Acheans. Phoenicians are the world’s great traders.
1069 - 525 BC
Third Kingdom in Egypt (XXI - XXVI Dynasty)
1000 BC
Phoenicians invent the phonetic alphabet. Winemaking arrives in Italy,
Sicily and North Africa.
Beginning of Jewish religion. Rye and oats in Northern Europe. Rig
Veda written in India
950 BC
The Queen of Sheba visits King Solomon in order to promote the spice
trade.
814 BC
Phoenicians colonize Carthage.
800 BC
Rome founded.
800 - 400 BC
The Upanishads form basis of Indian religion
776 BC
First Olympiad held.
753 BC
Romulus founds Rome according to legend
750 BC
Homer produces his epic Iliad and Odyssey.
700 BC
Wheaten bread a luxury in Athens - the poor live on cake, breads and
mashes.
609 - 593 BC
Phoenicians circumnavigate Africa in the reign of Pharoah Necho.
600 BC
Darius of Persia invades the Punjab. First Emperor of Japan Jimmu
Tenno
563 B.C.
Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) born in Northern India
551 B.C.
Birth of K’ung-Fu-tzu (Confucius)
546 BC
Cyrus of Persia conquers Ionian Greece, then Athens beats him at
Marathon.
540 B.C.
Mahavira born who founded Jainism in India
12
539 BC
Cyrus of Persia takes Babylon.
525 - 332 BC
Later Period in Egypt (XXVII - XXXI Dynasty)
510 BC
Romans expel last Etruscan King.
500 - 600 BC
Traditional time of Prophet Zoroaster but probably nearer 1500 B.C.
500 BC
Fine food common in Greece and the first cookery book is produced by
Hesiod of the Epicurians. Winemaking spreads to France - Marseilles the
oldest region, followed by Languedoc in 200BC.
489 BC
Death of Buddha
479 BC
Death of Confucius
480 BC
Xerxes tries again and fails. Carthage is invaded by the Greeks at the
same time and is beaten, as were the Etruscans. The Greeks have
developed an after-dinner wine game called Kottabos.
469 - 399 BC
Sokrates.
450 BC
Herodotus writes his ‘History’ in which he tells how the Arabians cover
themselves in animal hides in order to gather cassia from shallow lakelands, infested by giant bat-like creatures and that cinnamon is obtained
by tricking large birds which make their nests on mountain precipes.
448 BC
Athens defeated in the Nile Delta.
447 BC
Parthenon built under Pheidias.
429 - 347 BC
Plato.
415 BC
Athens tries to invade Sicily and Greater Greece (Southern Italy).
405 BC
Sparta crushes Athens with the help of Persian finance.
400 BC
Hippocrates, the Father of Modern Medicine. Leavened bread
introduced.
384 - 322 BC
Aristotle.
359 BC
Philip becomes King of Macedonia.
356 BC - 323 BC
Alexander the Great founds Alexandria in Egypt, which becomes the
main spice trading centre of the known world.
350 BC
Greeks and Romans are now regular spice users, growing caraway,
cardamom, anise, mustard and fennel and importing pepper, cassia,
cinnamon and ginger along the Old Silk Road between India and the
Mediterranean
341 - 270 BC
Epicurius, founder of Epicureanism for qualified hedonism and peace,
and was a great influence later on Christians.
336 - 328 BC
Alexander brings rice to Europe.
332 - 30 BC
Ptolemaic Period in Egypt
331 BC
Alexander the Great builds Alexandria. Ruled by Cleopatra 47-30 BC
and destroyed by an earthquake in 335 AD.
300 BC
End of the Kushans from China in India. Rice cultivation in Japan. Meze
invented in Greece.
287-213 BC
Archimedes of Syracuse.
286 BC
Rice introduced to Greece from India
269-232 BC
Ashoka the first Buddhist King comes to power in India - the son of the
first great power there, Chandragupta.
264 BC
Rome starts her conquests.
228 - 210 BC
Great Wall of China built
217 BC
Hannibal is served raw, cured ham in Parma on his way to fight the
Romans.
13
206 BC
Stir-frying appears during the Han Dynasty.
202 BC
Hannibal of Carthage defeated. Greeks taken as slaves into Italian
kitchens.
200 BC
Pyramids in Mexico built at Teotihuacan.
150 BC
Euthydemus writes ‘On Vegetables’.
146 BC
Romans sack Corinth and control Greece until 395 AD. Greek cooks
come to Rome - most breads originate from Greeks.
110 BC
Oysters are cultivated near Naples. Fine food in Italy. Favourite sauce is
garum, made with fish, salt, dill, rue and mint.
100 BC
Pepper reaches Rome.
55 BC
Julius Caesar invades Britain
44 BC
Julius Caesar murdered.
6 BC
Communication by mule-track meant that Chinese silk and Greek bronze
found together in tomb in Stuttgart.
5 BC
Greek cookery schools and dining clubs appear as Greek cooks become
more in demand.
4 BC
Archestratus writes ‘Life of Luxury’.
0 AD
Jesus born leading to start of Christianity
14
Chapter 4
Time Line
A.D. 1 - 1499 A.D.
0 - 35 AD
In Israel, the pharisees pay their tithes in cumin seeds.
40 AD
Apicius writes ‘De Re Coquinaria’ in the reign of Tiberius. A Greek,
Hippalos, discovers how to use the monsoon winds in the Indian Ocean
to speed up sea voyages. The Romans follow suit, thus weakening the
Arab monopoly and ensuring a more reliable supply of pepper from
India and Cinnamon from Ceylon.
43 AD
Roman conquest of Britain begins under Claudius I
50 AD
London founded
79 AD
Pompeii buried.
92 AD
The trade grows enough for Rome to build special pepper warehouses,
Lorrea piperataria.
330 AD
The Emperor Constantine founds Constantinople, which becomes the
centre of the spice trade. Cloves and nutmegs start to arrive in the West
from the Moluccas.
335 - 375 AD
Samudra Gupta becomes India’s Napoleon.
350 AD
The Champagne wine district is founded.
408 AD
Rome pays Alaric the Visigoth 3,000lb (1,360kg) in pepper, together
with silver, gold, silks and furs to raise their blockade on Rome.
410 AD
Alaric the Visigoth sacks Rome.
451 AD
Attila and Huns invade.
577 AD
Matches are first made by ladies of the Court in China.
570 AD
Mohammed is born
500 AD
Coffee drinking becomes popular in Arabia.
622 AD
Mohammed ‘s famous Hejira to Medina
630 AD
Islam is born.
712 AD
Muslims capture Sind.
745 AD
Boat loads of Parsees fleeing Islam arrive at Gujarat in India.
800 AD
Alsace wine region is founded.
982 AD
Extra Christmas and Easter taxes, payable in pepper, are levied by King
Aethelread II on German ships which come up the River Thames to trade
at London Bridge.
The Vikings take cardamom from Constantinople to their homes in
Scandinavia. Ginger has become popular in Germany since its
introduction there sometime in the 9th century and reaches Britain by the
10th century. Saffron growing starts in England (Saffron Walden) and
caraway is found growing naturally in Europe.
997 AD
First use of pizza as a name at Gaeta between Naples and Rome.
1066 AD
Normans invade England and popularise the use of pepper.
1096-1097 AD
First Crusade.
1116 AD
Ottomans overrun Syria, Egypt and Arabia.
15
12th - 1300s AD
Series of Crusades begins
1200 AD
Spices become a status symbol in England.
1204 AD
Venetian ships plunder Constantinople and bring back enough wealth to
establish Venice as the new centre of the spice trade.
1206 AD
Kutbuddin is Sultan of Dehli. Chenghiz Khan rules China - dies 1227 to
be followed by Kublai 1259.
1275 AD
Marco Polo in China.
1279 AD
Pasta first mentioned in Genoa
1297 AD
Marco Polo entrances Italy with tales of spices and exotic goods in the
Far East and the race for spice trade superiority in Europe starts in
earnest. The Venetians pass a law stating that all spices from the East are
to pass through Venice.
1398 AD
Tamerlane plunders Delhi.
1400 AD
Orange introduced to the West.
1400 - 1800 AD
Most of the world eats a mainly vegetarian diet, except Europe.
1471 AD
The Portuguese cross the Equator.
1486 AD
Bartholomew Diaz sails around the Cape of Good Hope.
1492 AD
Columbus sets out from Spain, reaches San Salvador in the Bahamas and
discovers red chilli peppers in Santa Domingo (Cuba).
1493 AD
On his second voyage to the New World, Columbus finds paprika being
used to flavour local dishes in Hispaniola (Haiti).
1497 AD
Vasco da Gama sails around the Cape of Good Hope to Malabariu, India,
returning with cinnamon, cloves, ginger, pepper amd precious stones.
1498 AD
Vasco da Gama discovers sea route to India.
16
Chapter 5
Time Line
1500 A.D. - 2000 A.D.
1500 AD
Red Pepper (Capsicum Annum) introduced to Europe from ‘New
World’.
1509 AD
Allspice, so called because its berries are thought to taste like a
combination of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and pepper, is discovered by
the Spanish in Jamiaca.
1510 AD
Portuguese gain control of Goa.
1511 - 14 AD
The Portuguese take control of the Malabar coast, Java and Sumatra and
successfully capture the Moluccan nutmeg trade.
1519 AD
Mexico conquered by Hernan Cortes. Spanish take pigs, chickens, cattle,
cereals, vegetables, olive oil, sugar cane, citrus fruits and wine to
Mexico. Ferdinand Magellan sets out from Spain and finds nutmegs
growing on the Indonesian island of Tidore. Magellan is killed in the
Phillipines, but the solitary ship that does make it back safely from the
expedition is laden with a cargo of nutmegs, mace, cinnamon and
sandalwood.
1520 AD
Tomato brought to Spain from Peru or Mexico.
1526 AD
Babur’s Mughal Empire is started. He dies in 1530 and is replaced by his
son, Akbar.
1535 AD
Pineapple comes from South America to Europe.
1536 AD
The Portuguese occupy Ceylon.The potato is discovered by Jiminez de
Quesada in Peru.
1559 AD
Tea first mentioned in Europe.
1579 AD
Sir Francis Drakes presents Elizabeth I with a gift of cloves.
1586 AD
Potato comes to Britain from Mexico, via Virginia. Ginger plantations
established by the end of 16th century by the Spanish in the West Indies.
1599 AD
East India Company is founded by the English in order to break the
Portuguese and Dutch monopoly.
1600 AD
Coffee introduced to Europe.
1602 AD
The Dutch East India Company is founded in order to found a Dutch
empire in Asia.
1605 - 1621 AD
The Dutch succeed in driving the Portuguese out of the Spice Islands.
1608 AD
First British ship arruves at Surat for East India Company
1612 AD
English establish first trading post in India.
1636 AD
The Dutch capture Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
1651 AD
The Dutch now control the clove nutmeg and cinnamon trade and forbid
the uncontrolled planting of spices under pain of death.
1657 AD
First tea reaches London.
1700 AD
Vegetables become true dishes rather than just garnishes. Salads become
popular.
1757 AD
Last Nawab of Bengal dies at Battle of Plessey
1765AD
The word 'restaurant' in its modern context introduced by Boulanger.
17
1770 AD
Pierre Poivre, the French Governor of Mauritius, smuggles clove,
nutmeg and cinnamon cuttings out of the Spice Islands and establishes a
plantation in Réunion, the Seychelles and other French colonies.
1773 AD
Curry appears on a menu for the first time in Britain at a Coffee House in
Norris Street, London.
1776 AD
The first French cloves are harvested and plants reach the English
colonies.
1780 AD
First commercial curry powder on sale
1795 AD
The first non-Indian pepper cargo sets out from Salem. Boston,
Portsmouth, Bath and New London become major spice ports.
1820 AD
Calcutta created as British capital in India.
1824 AD
The Dutch and the British sign a treaty which divides up all the spice
growing regions between them.
1826 AD
Modern matches created.
1835 AD
Vanilla, originally from South America, is grown in India.
1840 AD
Confectionary eating chocolate invented.
1843 AD
Nutmegs planted on Grenada.
1857AD
The Indian Mutiny and British troops, women and children were
massacred in Delhi, Cawnapore and Lucknow. Order restored in mid1858.
1859-61AD
Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management is published.
1900 AD
Charles Candler brings Coca Cola to Britain.
1907 AD
Lyons’ Coventry Street Corner House opens in London, eventually to
cater for 4,000 covers.
1912 AD
Lyons’ Strand Corner House opens in London.
1914 - 18 AD
First World War
1931 AD
First commercial yoghurt created (Danone).
1933 AD
Maison Lyons opens near Marble Arch, London, seating 2,000.
1939 - 45 AD
Second World War
1940 AD
Sugar, butter and bacon rationed in Britain.
1946 AD
Bread rationed in Britain until 1948.
1947 AD
Indpendence for India and Pakistan (August 15th)
1948 AD
First tandoor in a restaurant used in Moti Mahal in New Delhi
1949 AD
Sweet rationing in Britain ends temporarily.
1954 AD
War-time rationing of goods in Britain comes to an end.
1967 AD
Asians expelled from Kenya
1971 AD
Independence for Bangladesh (26th March)
1972 AD
Asians expelled from Uganda
1974 AD
Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
1997 AD
Hong Kong handed back to China.
18
Chapter 6
FOOD ORIGINS
Apricot
China
Maize
Mexico
Banana
Asia
Melon
Near East
Broad Bean
South America
Nigella
Damascus
Broccoli
Italy
Nutmeg
Moluccas
Cactus
Mexico/South America
Okra
Africa/Asia
Capers
Mediterranean
Olive
Mediterranean
Capsicum (Bell Pepper)
South America
Onion
Israel to India
Cardamom
Southern Asia
Oregano
Eastern Mediterranean
Carob
Babylon
Parsley
Carrot
Afghanistan
Parsnip
Eurasia
Cauliflower
Cyprus
Pea
Western Asia
Celery
Mediterranean
Peach
China/Persia
Cherry
Europe/Western Asia
Peanut
South America
Chicory
India
Pear(wild)
Middle East
Chili
Pepper (Piper Nigrum) India
Chives
Mediterranean
Pineapple
South America(Brazil)
Cinnamon
Sri Lanka
Pistacchio
India
Citrus fruits
(Lemon/Orange/Lime)
Southeast Asia
Plum
Caucasus
Cloves
Eastern India
Potato
Peru
Cocoa
Mexico
Pumpkin
Coffee
Abyssinia
Radish
E. Mediterranean
Coriander
North Africa
Rhubarb
Greece
Courgette
Rice
India
Cucumber
India/Africa
Saffron
Orient
Cumin
Mediterranean
Sesame
South America
Dill
Shallots
Mediterranean
Eggplant (Aubergine)
India
Spinach
Southwest Asia/Persia
Endive
India
Star Anise
China
Fennel
Mediterranean
Tarragon
Russia
Fenugreek
South Europe/South
Asia
Tea
Tibet/Assam
Garlic
Mediterranean
Tomato
Mexico/Peru
Ginger
Southern Asia
Tortillas
Mexico
Mace
Moluccas
Turmeric
Southern Asia
Vanilla
Mexico
19
Chapter 7
DAWN OF HISTORY
(The first 2 million years)
2,000,000 TO 2,000 B.C.
Fast food is not new - the only difference in pre-historic times was that it ran on
two or four legs. The history of Man is reflected in the changes in eating tastes and
habits throughout the world, but much of what we think of as innovative and modern,
has, in fact, been around for centuries, if not millennia.
Since recorded history began, the food habits of a country have been a result of
geography, climate and soil, whether rich or poor, crowded or uncrowded, plus a few
imponderables such as religious or tribal taboos. Even now, half the world depends
upon wheat, oats, barley, corn and rye and the other on rice.
Homo Erectus - the cave dweller of many a fantasy, was using fire as long ago as
500,000 BC, but only from natural happenings such as lightning strikes and had
actually been aware of the phenomenon since at least 2,000,000 B.C. It is from this
that the fire ceremonial stems. Man was a gatherer for his food and gradually
developed into a hunter-gatherer, who lived off the land around him and plundered
Nature’s ready supply of resources.
Finds at Chou-K’ou-tien in China, dated back to 500,000 BC, have included evidence
of hackberry fruits and the bones of deer.
From 400,000 BC Neanderthal Man evolved in Asia and spread out to colonise
Europe. It was not until 250,000 BC that modern Man - Homo Sapiens - evolved in
sub-Saharan Africa according to many theories and started to move outward to
Mesopotamia, the Nile Valley, India, Malaysia and on to Australia, and through
Russia to China, whilst others pressed out into Europe. It has recently been discovered
that Charles Darwin’s ancient ancesters were among the first group of Homo Sapiens
Cro Magnon men who left Africa 45,000 years ago reaching Europe around 10,000
years later.
By 125,000 BC, the Ice Age was forcing the Neanderthals into the Near East and
Homo Sapiens began migration in the same direction.
By 40,000 B.C. Homo Sapiens was sweeping into Europe in large numbers and by
33,000 B.C. had spread as far as the Americas overland from Asia. Homo Sapiens
was the dominant species and suddenly, in historical terms, Neanderthal Man began to
disappear and by 30,000 BC, Neanderthal Man was extinct.
The move towards agriculture was very slow, as no stimuli existed for many
thousands of years to change the status quo to any significant degree, as prehistoric
man could shop from Nature’s ample larder without applying himself to the soil.
20
By 50,000 BC areas in China and surrounding locations in what were the USSR and
Iran were treating plants and animals as more than mere food, as is evidenced by
burial sites and medicines of the time.
By 14,000 BC there is evidence that the beginnings of agriculture took place in the
Near East and South East Europe, where dogs were started to be tamed, but the real
history of food was marked by the retreat of the Ice Age from around 12,500 BC.
End of the Ice Age
By 12000 B.C. early Man was beginning to learn how to manipulate plants and
animals as the retreat of the Ice presented new opportunities.
10,500 - 10,000 BC saw the end of the Ice Age and the Palaeolithic era moved into
the Mesolithic. By 9000 B.C. the first evidence of pottery supposedly appeared from
the famous Jonion in Japan, and there was early evidence of wheat, barley and sheep
farming in Eurasia.
Modern agriculture dates back to this time, when Neolithic Man learnt how to make
fire by friction and intensified his exploration of resources, triggering the start of
technological innovation. Man was still a hunter-gatherer, but evidence indicates the
beginnings of organised agriculture in Mesoamerica, the Middle East and Far East.
This period of pre-history is one of wide disagreement between historians and
archeologists. Man had already spread to most areas of the globe from his birthplace
in East Africa long before the Ice retreated, so the claim of some, that agricultural
development was simultaneous in Southeast and Southwest Asia, the Nile Delta,
around the Danube, in Macedonia, Thrace and Thessaly, the Yellow River in China,
the Indus in India, the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and Tehuacan in Mexico, could
certainly have been possible.
Each of these areas would have been responding to the warmer climate and gradual
disappearance of larger animals set against a backdrop of arable land ideally irrigated
by major rivers.
Organised agriculture
It is around this time that the Osiris legend would have begun, leading to his
becoming the major god in the Egyptian pantheon millennia later. Several modern
archeological theories based around astrological alignments linked to around 10,500
BC, from Egypt to South America to Cambodia to Japan lend intellectual support to
the Osiris mystery. Indeed the very latest discoveries at Gobekli Tepe in modern
northern Turkey, also focuses on this pivotal period around 10,000 BC (though with
no mention of Osiris). Standing stones and other material being unearthed on an
ongoing basis, suggest a level of civilisation previously unimagined by archaeologists
who, until recently, considered that time as still part of Man’s hunter-gatherer period..
21
Usage of Herbs, spices and Vegetables
Mediterranean
(Used B.C.)
Mushroom, beet, radish, turnip, carrot, parsnip,
asparagus, leek, onion, cabbage,lettuce, artichoke,
cucumber, broad bean, pea, olive, apple,pear,
cherry, grape, fig, date, strawberry, basil, marjoram,
oregano, mint, rosemary, sage, savory, thyme,
anise, caraway, coriander, cumin, dill, parsley,
fennel, bay, caper, fenugreek, garlic, mustard,
poppy, sesame, saffron.
(Later)
Spinach, celery, rhubarb, cauliflower, broccoli,
Brussels sprouts.
Asia:
(Used BC)
Citron, apricot, peach, cardamom, ginger,
cinnamon, turmeric, black pepper.
(Later)
Yam, water chestnut, bamboo, eggplant, lemon,
lime, orange, melon, clove, nutmeg, mace, tarragon.
New World:
(Used BC)
Potato, pumpkin, squash, tomato, kidney bean, lima
bean, sweet pepper, avocado, pineapple, allspice,
red pepper, chilli pepper, vanilla
This brings us back to the other explanation that modern agriculture spread around the
world from one particular area and there seems little doubt that food production and
town life spread from Western Asia in the area between the Himalayas and the
Mediterranean not later than 8500 B.C. Even this is a 'best guess' based on known
information as a new discovery recently discovered deep beneath the seas in the Gulf
of Cambay off the coast of Gujarat in India, suggests an advanced civilisation 9000
B.C. or even earlier. This, and possibly other cities would have been destroyed by
flood waters as the Ice Age ended, fitting in with the mystical suggestions of
cataclysm around 10,500 B.C. and even Plato's fabled lost island of Atlantis.
There was plenty of impetus for the growth of communities, as excess produce first
became the key to trade and then as a sign of wealth and largesse. This theory is
supported by clear evidence that cereal production around the world is descended
from three crops which originated in South East Turkey and the Upper Jordan Valley.
The best emmer came from the latter and both barley and einkorn from the former to
become the ancestors of modern crops.
Decent sized towns already existed by 8000 B.C. and Jericho, which has been
carbon-dated to 7800 B.C. and certainly existed long before, was a town of 10 acres
by this time. Evidence of elementary farming at Shanidar in Kurdistan dated to 8900
B.C. further supports this theory.
Open settlements in Iraq and Jordan are evident soon after 9000 B.C. and
domestication of animals had already begun in Western Anatolia, Jordan and
Khurzistan. Plant domestication came a little after with similar development in
Palestine, Lebanon, Hindu Kush and most highland zones of the Near and Middle
East.
22
There is certainly evidence of the beginnings of agriculture in Palestine around 9000
B.C. and wild wheat, wild barley, wild sheep and wild goats were present in the
foothills fringing Assyria.
Communities grow
Between 8000 - 7000 B.C. numerous Natufian nomadic groupings gathered together
to form communities from the Nile Valley to Anatolia and there is evidence of the
domestication of plants, pulse crops (peas, lentils and horse beans), pistacchios, goats
and gazelles around Beidha in Jordan.
Elsewhere in the world, development seems to have been behind those in the Middle
East and Turkey by as much as a millennium, supporting the theory that they were
very much influenced by happenings in those areas.
Chilli was being gathered in South America by 7000 B.C. but it was not until 5000
B.C. that evidence indicates organised cultivation. Man had entered the Americas via
the Bering Straits overland from 30,000 B.C. but by 7000 B.C. immigration began by
sea introducing ideas and influences from Asia and Middle East.
Peasant farming began the story of agriculture in Greece around 6000 B.C. stretching
to the South Balkans by 5000 B.C. By 6000 B.C. Catal Huyuk in Turkey was a
flourishing town of some 32 acres and pottery appeared at the same time from Zagros
in Iran to the East Mediterranean basin.
Alongside the development of agriculture came the development of civilization to a
level rarely appreciated today and from 5000 B.C. civilization advanced rapidly either
side of the Syrian Desert in Mesopotamia and Jordan/Egypt.
By 6000 - 5000 B.C., millet was cultivated in North China, olive oil was used, chillies
and squash were cultivated in Mexico and lima beans in Peru. Cereal farming had
grown gradually since the end of the Ice Age to supplement mass fish harvesting
techniques and shellfish supplies. The population increased and, as occasional food
scarcities occurred, poisons were boiled out of plants for use. Extra food began to be
produced as a status symbol and people started to produce food, have more children,
and gather in bigger communities.
Lending credence to the Osiris legend, evidence indicates organised agriculture at
Fayum in the Nile Valley in 5000 B.C. with every indication it had been present for
some time. The first inhabitants of the Nile Delta were the Tasians followed by the
Badanas who had wheat, barley, the hoe, plough and bread, with evidence of storage
pits for cereals at Fayum.
The Cradle of Civilization
On the other side of the Syrian Desert in the ‘cradle of civilization’, the Hassuna
culture, from a location some 22 miles south of Mosul on the Assyrian Plain in North
Iraq, was very much an agricultural community. In the same area Erhil is still one of
the best corn growing areas in Iraq today.
23
Zawi Chemi was one of the first major sites in this region some 2000 years before the
well documented Jarma settlement close to the Tigris River. Another very early
farming settlement of the time was Umm Bubaghiyeh on the plains between the
Rivers Tigris and Euphrates.
It is here that the world’s first major civilization, the Sumerians, they of the legendary
King-Hero Gilgamesh, appeared, introducing advances that were to shape the world.
Metal worked tools had been known in several areas since 5000 B.C. and Sumer built
up the infrastructure of civilzation including cuniform writing by 3500 B.C. in
‘fabulous’ Eridu. The Sumerians of Mesopotamia cultivated dates and later, cereals as
the land improved. Sheep and cattle were kept and donkeys ridden. They were the
earliest people to use the wheel widely and, gradually, city states grew up and trade
spread as far as India.
The Indus Valley
India was first populated 250,000 years ago but the first major civilization was
probably the Harappans who occupied the Indus Valley where Baluchistan was a
farming community from 3500 B.C. Once again, however, this may well have been
pre-dated by the 9000 B.C. Gulf of Cambay civilisation once more is known about it.
By 3000 B.C. turmeric, cardamom, pepper and mustard were harvested in India. The
Harappans who occupied Harappa and Mohenjodero in the Indus Valley, were of
mixed stock, somewhat larger in stature than either the Sumerians or Egyptians
denying theories that they were an extension of those communities. They had club
wheat, barley, sheep and goats from the Iranian Plateau and cotton from Southern
Arabia or North East Africa but were held back by their reliance on flood waters due
to general lack of knowledge of irrigation.
Sumer had trade links with the Indus Valley via Hindu Kush by 3000 B.C. and by sea
from 2500 B.C., thus linking the Harappans with both Sumerians and Egyptians,
where cumin, anise and cinnamon were used for embalming by 2500 B.C.
By 1750 B.C., the Harappan civilization had disappeared, probably due to floods and
tectonic shifts, to be replaced by the Aryans who invaded via Hindu Kush by 1500
B.C. The Aryans had considerable contact with Babylon from whence the original
flood legend arose to be adopted by both the Aryans and the Hebrews and several
other civilizations.
The Aryans were descendants of Indo-Europeans from the Caspian Sea and Russian
Steppes, who also went on to Greece, Asia Minor and Iran. They regarded the
indigenous Dasas they found in the Indus Valley as the lowest form of life, seemingly
mainly because they were darker skinned and flat-nosed and, more threateningly,
‘cattle thieves’.
Aryan civilization revolved around the cow hence gavishti, literally ‘to send for
cows’, came to mean to fight. As cattle were a measure of wealth, meat eating was
taboo except on very special occasions. The caste system did not exist at this time and
did not really take hold until the Dasas were positioned as ‘non-persons’. In fact the
24
Sanskrit word for caste ‘varna’ means colour. Gradually their society developed into
warriors & aristocracy - priests - cultivators - others. The staple diet was milk, ghee,
vegetables, fruit and barley.
In civilization terms the coming of the Aryans was a partial step backwards as the
Harappans had had script but the Aryans did not develop it until 700 B.C. In Southern
India the megolithic cultures of the Madras, Kerala and Mysore areas arrived from
Western Asia - first Negrita, then Proto Australoid, Mongoloid and then
Mediterranean, associated with the Dravidians.
Rice was domesticated in West Bengal in the Ganges Delta around 3000 B.C. and was
introduced into the Yangtze Basin area of China soon after via the Burma Road.
There is evidence however, that rice farming was known at Ho-mu-tu in Huang He in
the Yangtze Delta much earlier, with a division into short and long grain varieties, and
evidence was recently discovered in a cave in Southeast Asia (Thailand) of rice dating
back to 6000 B.C.
As the Aryans were entering India, the early Hsia Dynasty in China was giving way
to the Shang Dynasty and Chinese farming was developing along the Yellow River
with millet, foxtail, brown corn, pigs, dogs and fish.
Before the Aryans arrived, there is evidence of pepper being traded from India by
2000 B.C. but they introduced a culture based on cattle as a source of wealth with
cultivation of cereals by ox-drawn plough and feasting and drinking becoming
important social occasions.
In China, large farming villages were widespread and food included millet, animals
and a few vegetables with boiling, roasting and steaming in use as cooking methods.
By 3,000 BC, cultivation was universal and social differentiations started to appear in
larger villages. An emperor of the Shang Dynasty (1520-1030 B.C.) held food and its
preparation in such high regard that over 2,000 people were employed in the Imperial
Kitchens and one of his cooks was elevated to the position of Prime Minister.
The Spread of Civilization
By 4,300 BC the population in the Nile Valley had settled into two tribes, with
allegiance to the serpent god in the north and Horus, the falcon and Nekhebet, the
vulture goddess, in the south, later combining to be ruled by the Pharaohs of the Old
Kingdom between 3,500-2,700 BC.
By 4,000 BC raised bread was known, although leavened bread was not discovered
until 400 BC. Flat breads had been a feature of the late Stone Age, becoming tortilla,
Johnny-cake, chapati and pancake.
The Canaanites settled in what is now the Lebanon in 3,000 BC and later became
known as the Phoenicians, who were so influenced by the Egyptians and later, the
Assyrians, and spread their culture throughout the known world.
25
In 814 B.C. the adventurous Phoenicians colonised Carthage soon followed by Urtica
in Northern Tunisia, Malta, Molys in Sicily, Cadiz, Mogador in Morocco, Nova in
Sardinia and Ibiza.
Around the time the Canaanites were entering the Lebanon, winter squash, tomatoes,
avocados, beans and corn were used as staples in Central America, potatoes in Peru
and rice, coconuts and bananas in Asia.
The Sumerians appeared in Mesopotamia around 3500 B.C. and civilisation began to
develop apace after cuniform writing was invented by them whilst Shen Nung
assembled the first ever documentation on herbs in China. In Ur, in Mesopotamia,
beer was brewed in 3000 B.C. and Gilgamesh, he of legend, ruled 2700-2650 B.C.
Their typical diet was made up of cereals and vegetables, flavoured with watercress
and mustard leaves.
Tablets with cuniform text dated back to 1700 B.C. have been found near
Babylon containing early recipes for meat in sauce with bread -
probably an offering to the god Marduk.
The great period of pyramid building in Egypt took place between 2680-2565 BC and
rice was farmed in an area which ranged from Taiwan to Central India. In Britain,
Silbury Hill dates back to 2,700 BC and the enigmatic Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain
to 2,000 BC.
The Semetic ruler Sargon I (2335-2279 B.C.) united the ancient lands of Akkad and
Sumer and pushed out to even try and conquer Cyprus. He showed the nomads
another way of life and trade to India and Egypt was conducted. By 2,200 BC,
Semitic Amonites had settled around the village of Babylon, and it was here that
Hammurabi (1799-1750 B.C.) created his kingdom and settled his nomadic tribe and
produced the famous Code of Hammurbi, including laws on irrigation, navigation,
agriculture and more. Corn was ground by hand, bread leavened and baked in a small
brick oven. Flat cakes were made and thrown against the side of the oven.
Mesopotamia was on a downward spiral by 2,070 BC when the Hittites attacked,
introducing the horse.
Meanwhile, the Phoenicians were looking seawards due to the poor nature of their
land. They went out to Africa, to Greece, Sicily, France, Spain, and even Cornwall.
The called Spain ‘Shapan’ leading to the name Espana today and the City of Cadiz,
Gadir which was founded in 1100 B.C. even before Rome. They carried cinnamon
and cassia to Greece and saffron as far as Cornwall.
Cinnamon and cassia came from Somalia and the Greeks and later Romans imported
pepper, cassia, cinnamon and ginger whilst growing caraway, cardamom, anise,
26
mustard and fennel. Such was the mystery surrounding spices and the importance
placed upon them that elaborate stories were made up to disguise their origins, many
of these stories being reported by Herodotus around 450 B.C.
By 2,000 BC Crete was the centre of a remarkable civilisation, often called Minoan,
which reached its zenith in 1,600 BC when 80,000 people lived in the capital,
Knossos. Cheese was well known in Egypt by 2,300 BC and by 1200 B.C. 40 kinds of
breads and pastries were available to the upper class. Ice cream was invented in China
in around 2,000 BC as a soft milk and rice concoction.
In India, the thriving civilisation in the Indus Valley was soon to be destroyed by
floods and tectonic shifts (1750 BC), to be replaced by the Aryans from Russia and
Turkistan, invading over the Hindu Kush. The main tribe, the Bharatra took 500
years to pass Delhi. But the caste system took hold and meat eating was gradually
given up, due to the value placed on cattle by the Aryans and to lessons learned in the
steaming hot, southern climate.
The Vedas provide most of the information on Indian history in this time with Rig
Veda being written around 1000 B.C. followed by the Sama, Yajur and Atharva vedas
and the medical and method of living work the Ayurveda, whose teachings continue
today. Such was the influence of Ayurvedic teaching, which included what, when and
how to eat, that the texts were translated into Greek by Cridos in 300 B.C. and Tibetan
and Chinese by AD 300.
Mahavira was born in the sixth centry B.C. and became an ascetic at the age of 30 in
510 B.C. to found Jainism, teaching an extreme form of ‘ahimsa’ the non harming of
all life. More influencial, however, was the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha whose less radical teachings were adopted by Ashoka (269-232 B.C.) who
became the first Buddhist Emperor in India and forbad the killing of all animals as a
consequence. Eating habits were not universal throughout the sub-continent, however,
as the Kashmir Brahmins continued to pride themselves on their mutton and those in
Bengal on their fish.
In China around 2,000 BC, there was a very civilised society in the North and
Manchuria and by the Shang Dynasty, (1,776 BC), food preparation and service was
being ritualised and regulated to a complex formula with ale very important in the
process.
At this time, Abraham lived in Ur on the Tigris and became the founder of Judaism,
Islam and Christianity, as each can trace their origins back to him. By 1,200 BC the
Phoenicians from Tyre and Sidon had become great traders and by 1,000 BC had
invented the phonetic alphabet. By 1,400 BC the nomadic Hebrews had split into two
factions, with some settling in Palestine with the Hittites and others settling in Egypt,
from where, in1262 BC, they were eventually repatriated after the Exodus led by
Moses, who was a sanitary expert and chief lawgiver by profession, and who created
most of the Jewish food codes.
From 5000 B.C. onwards the original crops of emmer, barley and einkorn were being
grown in Greece, especially Crete, plus bread, wheat, lentils and beans plus sheep and
27
goats. Similar developments occurred a little later in the Mediterranean Basin and
from the Middle Danube to the Rhine.
In 1200 B.C. the empire of Crete had broken up and people wandered around the
Eastern Mediterranean and set up cities in Greece and Asia Minor. One group may
have been the Etruscans who settled in Umbria in Italy from Southern Anatolia. The
Romans did not finally drive them out until 509 B.C., nineteen years before Marathon.
In South America, pepper, bottle-gourd, pumpkin, common bean (Oaxaca),
squash(Tehuaca), plants indigenous to the area and not introduced from Asia, were
grown. Maize was cultivated in Peru 1900 - 1600 B.C. and had spread as far as
Colorado by 1000 B.C.
The Greeks
The fabled Troy was founded by Neolithic settlers from Kum Tepe by the
Dardanelles in 3600 B.C. The Trojan Wars began in 1250 B.C. and Troy finally fell in
1180 B.C. to the Achaeans, (called Greeks by the Italians), who were great eaters,
tellers of tales and adventurers. Soon they were replaced by the Dorians from the
North, but soon after, the Greek civilisation stretched from Asia Minor to Crimea and
Byzantium. The Greeks brought culinary sophistication to many regions and even the
King of Sidon had a famous Greek cook, called Cadmos.
The Greeks colonized Provence in 600 B.C. and Catalonia in 550 B.C. as well as
Calabria to Naples in Italy, and parts of Sicily and the Black Sea.
The Greek love of bread dates back to Minoan Crete 3000 - 1100 B.C. and the first
usable bread oven was invented at the time of Pericles in 500 B.C. During the time of
Augustus in Rome in 30 B.C. there were as many as 329 bakeries in Rome all run by
Greeks. The bread was originally based on olive oil as butter was considered the food
of barbarians with fat or butter not being added until the Middle Ages.
The fabulous civilization based around Knossos declined between 1400 - 1375 B.C.
and the Mycenae became the leaders of the Greeks. Meze was founded by Greeks
around 300 B.C. named from the Turkish or Arab word describing nibbling when
talking as was common amongst politicians.
The first Olympiad was held in 776 BC at the height of Greek civilisation, but the
seeds of the successor were already being sown. At this time olive oil was the source
of artificial light, having been passed on to the Greeks by the Phoenicians. Olive oil
was supposed to have been discovered by Isis, the wife of Osiris, who was said to
have taught the Egyptians how to cultivate the trees and produce the oil.
By 600 BC civilisation in China had reached an advanced level. Fire, building,
farming, medicine and script had supposedly been discovered during the reign of The
Three Sovereigns in around 2,850 BC, but now the Chinese had cotton, silk, beans,
square buckets, hatchets and coloured robes. Normal meals were millet or rice plus
cucumber, pumpkins, peaches, apricots, cherries, chestnuts and plums flavoured by
onions, mustard and other herbs.
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By 500 B.C. in the time of Pericles, Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, Athens was
the centre of learning with cooking schools and dining clubs. When the great library
of Alexandria was burned by Caliph Omar I destroying 700,000 scrolls, several were
valuable ancient Greek cookery books.
Eating in Greece reached great heights during this period and around 500 BC one of
the world’s first cook books was written by Hesiod of the Epicureans and Life of
Luxury by Archestrateus in 400 BC. Breakfast tended to be bread and wine, followed
by a light lunch and an evening meal of eggs, fish, cheese, vegetables and, very
occasionally, meat, with garlic and onion., olive oil and honey. Fruit was always eaten
at the end of meals, along with rich wines diluted with water. Athens at the time was
excellent for olives and vines. Marseilles and Southern Italy were known as Great
Greece at this time.
The Persians and Macedonians
Cyrus of Persia conquered Lydia in 546 BC, only to be beaten back at Marathon.
Xerxes tried again in 480BC, only to be beaten back by the Greek army under Sparta.
By 467 BC, all the Aegean was controlled by the Greek Confederacy. Athens tried for
the Nile Delta in 448 BC, then Sicily and Great Greece in 415 BC, only to be beaten
at Syracuse.
All this campaigning meant that the core Greek cuisine was being influenced by
Persia, Egypt and other parts of Europe and was influencing them in turn. In 400 BC
Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, expounded his theory, ‘Let food be your
medicine and medicine your food.’
In 359 BC, Philip became king of Macedonia. He had been educated in Greece and
gradually controlled the Northern Aegean. Before he could invade Persia he was
murdered and the next world force, his son, Alexander the Great, came to power in
336 BC.
Alexander quickly subdued Greece, Asia Minor, Syria, Eastern Mediterranean and
Egypt, then routed the last of the Persians near Nineveh in 333BC. He went on to
conquer Bactria, Turkistan and the Punjab between 330-324 BC and, at the height of
his glory, died in 323 BC, having influenced much of the known world.
The World of Alexander the Great
29
Elsewhere in the world two deaths had great influence on the development of
civilization in those areas and beyond ; Buddha in 489 B.C. and Confucius in 479
BC.
Rice was introduced to Japan from China in 300 B.C. to be used as a form of tribute
and taxation, uses which were maintained until the early twentieth century.
The Romans
The vacuum was filled by the growth of Rome, which had been founded in 700-800
BC. Rome was founded by Romulus, a descendant of the Trojan Aeneas in 753 B.C.
according to legend (probably even earlier) but was taken over by the Etruscans in
616 BC. After the Romans recaptured the city in 509 BC., they had continual battles
with the Etruscans until 390 B.C. and then with the Gallic forces attacking from the
Milan area. A period of internal expansion then took place and by 326 B.C. they had
captured Naples.
Conquests were started in 264 BC and they eventually defeated Hannibal of
Carthage, a formidable foe, in 202 BC, then Spain, Sicily, North Africa, Greece,
Macedonia, and all of the Mediterranean. Corinth was sacked by Rome in 146 BC.
and Greece became the Eastern Roman Empire then the Byzantine Empire until 395
AD. The greatest Greek influence in the kitchen was when they were brought back
home to Rome as house slaves. For the first time, the mistress of the house deserted
her kitchen and gave it over to a Greek slave-chef who was well-versed in all Greek
and Sicilian cookery. Dining refinement continued and most meals, by now, were
served on pottery. Food was equally important in China, where it was central to
family events and social transactions and no business deal was complete without a
meal.
Despite battle reversals, Greece continued to refine its cultural activities.
Euthydemus wrote his, ‘On Vegetables’ in 150BC, but when the Romans sacked
Corinth in 146 BC, and went on to control Greece until 395 AD, the influence of the
Greek kitchen spread far and wide. Greek cooks were mainly responsible for
introducing a diversity of breads to Rome. Plato wrote with disgust about the gluttony
of the Sicilian Greeks and Petronius described huge, lavish, Roman feasts.
The Roman Empire
30
And so, the main planks of modern culinary activity were laid even before Jesus
Christ had appeared, to become such an influence on the world stage. Religion had
always had some influence on food usage, with ceremonial and dietary requirements,
but with little overall effect. Even the reverence of all animal life by Hindus,
Buddhists and Jains only underlined a trend recognised by the invading Aryans
centuries before.
Islam was soon to follow the Jews in banning pork and shellfish, for very sound
reasons and, more recently, Seventh Day Adventists banned the eating of meat.
Although neither created any of the world’s great cuisines or supplies of food
produce, the two great influences of pre-history in terms of the spread of food
information and products were firstly the Phoenicians and then Alexander the Great.
The Greeks supplied the great melting pot where many roads from around the world
met and they in turn greatly influenced the Romans who were destined to conquer
much of the world. It was Rome and later the Crusades that provided the greatest
influences on the cuisines of the world in the early centuries of the last two millennia.
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Chapter 8
A THOUSAND YEARS OF
CONFLICT
(The first thousand years)
A.D. 1 - 1000 A.D.
The last years of the century before the birth of Christ were ones of the
expansion of the power of Rome over much of the known world. Rome proved to
be the equal of Carthage in the Punic War and so Carthage turned its attention
to Spain.
The Second Punic War started in 218 B.C. when Hannibal crossed the Alps and
defeated the Romans in a series of battles. Fortunately for Rome, Hannibal was
recalled to Africa to face Scipio only to be beaten himself at Zama in 202 B.C.
This left Rome in control of the Western Mediterranean and they moved on to defeat
Philip V of Macedonia 200-197 B.C., then Syria, then Philip’s son Perseus who was
routed at Pydna in 168 B.C. Scipio finally destroyed the power of Carthage in 146
B.C. This supremecy brought internal strife and when Sulla descended on Rome in 83
B.C. with 40,000 troops he set the precedent for rule by strength of arms. By the turn
of the millennium Rome’s agriculture was in decline and Africa became the source of
its grain supply.
By 55 B.C. Pompey controlled Spain and Africa, Crassus Syria and Caesar
campaigned in Gaul where he briefly invaded Britain. The Senate elected Pompey
sole consul in 52 B.C. on the death of Crassus and demanded the disbanding of
Caesar’s army in 49 B.C. Caesar and his legions marched on Rome and by 45 B.C.
the Pompey cause was crushed and Caesar was declared dictator for life. This did not
prove to be long as he was murdered in the following year and a struggle for power
ensued culminating in the suicide of Antony and Cleopatra after the Battle of Actium
in 31 B.C. leaving Octavian - later Augustus - undisputed ruler.
The Augustian period began a cultural golden age that lasted until the death of Nero
in 62 A.D. when lack of a hereditary Emperor resulted in the Roman world being split
into four.
Claudius I completed the conquest of Britain 41 - 54 A.D. after they had been paying
tribute to Rome for nearly one hundred years and London was founded in 50 A.D.,
later to be made capital in the ninth century by King Alfred.
Rome broke the Arab spice monopoly in 40 AD and by 92 AD was building special
warehouses in Rome for pepper, such was its importance. They introduced paid chefs
and many town houses had a large grill, vast preparation tables and complex masonry
cookstoves. Fish sauce had originally come from Greece but was raised to an artform
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in Rome as confirmed by Apicius. Almost all dishes had a sauce or dressing and
garum, the fish sauce, was in wide use.
In 40AD, Apicius wrote the first great cookery book, ‘De Re Coquinaria’, during the
reign of Tiberius, and Rome spread its culture around much of the known world. The
Greeks had advocated fruit as a dessert, but the Romans added vegetables and lettuce
as hors d’oeuvres.
Most products known today were in use before Christ was born, with only spinach,
celery, rhubarb, cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels sprouts to be added later in the
Mediterranean and yam, water chestnut, bamboo, eggplant, lemon, lime, orange,
clove, mace and tarragon in Asia.
The new religion of Christianity had little international effect for the first two
hundred years of its existence, being generally regarded as as a strange offshoot of the
Jewish religion. The gods of Rome had been the old Aryan gods linked with Greece.
The intelligencia had no gods, so the gods of the East filled the vacuum in the first
two centuries as Christianity quietly grew under the impetus provided by Paul.
The first such religion to become popular was the worship of Isis, wife of Osiris from
Eqypt, followed by that of Mithras. Finally the worship of the Emperors themselves as
gods took hold.
In 234 AD the last emperor of the Severus Dynasty was murdered and the Roman
Empire descended into a period of constant civil war. The Christian Church was
blamed for much of the breakdown and in 250 AD an edict outlawing the religion was
issued leading to a period of great persecution.
The strife continued until the eventual emergence of Constantine as a power in the
Roman Empire. He brought back the period of prosperity, and ended the persecution
of the Christians by making it the official religion of the Empire.
In 330 AD he founded Constantinople as the new capital of the Roman Byzantine
Empire as a bullwork against the barbarian hoards. Situated in northeast Algeria on
the site of Cirta, the capital of Numidia, Constantinople stood firm until it became the
centre of the Ottoman Empire in 1453 AD. It soon became the centre of culture and
the spice trade, attracting goods from all over the East including cloves and nutmeg
from the Moluccas. The Arabs raided it constantly from 634 AD and it was Alexius
I’s appeal to the Pope in Rome for help that brought about the First Crusade 1096 - 99
AD.
In the fourth century, the first Christian World Council was held creating the ‘Trinity’
amongst other things and outside pressures on Rome began to appear. In 408 AD
Alaric the Visigoth attacked Rome and was famously paid 3000 lb of pepper plus
gold, silver, silks and furs to lift the blockade. It was all rather pointless as three years
later he sacked the city anyway.
As Roman influence broke down, numerous challenges to its authority and culture
arose and it was not until 451 AD that the next major force appeared in the shape of
the fearful Attila and his Huns. As devastating as they were, the Huns had little effect
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on world cuisine, and little more of note occurred for many years and it brought the
development of Western cuisines to a standstill.
The only other notable contribution of Italy to world cuisine in this period was the
first appearance of the pizza in Gaeta between Naples and Rome in 997 AD.
The Middle East
Rome held sway in Egypt from 30 B.C. to 641 AD and had considerable influence as
a centre for cultural development.
Arabs enjoyed the monopoly of spice trading until 40 AD when Rome took over, and
the Middle East had little influence on world affairs except as a spice supplier until
570 AD when Mohammed was born. In 622 AD he took his famous Hejira to Medina
and eight years later, the religion of Islam was born to become a major power all over
the Middle East and Africa.
In 711 AD the Moors took over Al Andalus coming from the spice routes, and
brought cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, aniseed, sesame, cumin, coriander, ginger and
caraway with them. Spices spread throughout Europe and in England in 982 AD,
King Aethelred II levied a special Christmas and Easter tax, payable in pepper, on
German ships coming up the Thames to trade at London Bridge.
Ginger reached Britain by the tenth century after gaining great popularity in Germany
a century before. Saffron started to be grown in Saffron Walden in Essex and
elsewhere in Europe, caraway was found growing naturally.
The Far East
As the start of the Christian era dawned in the Middle East, China was experiencing
the Hsin Dynasty 9-23 AD. Emperor Wang, a onetime courtier, abolished slavery
and tried the uphill struggle of improving the lot of the peasants.
The Hsin was replaced by the Han Dynasty 25-220 AD, which led to a period of
strife as government was torn by conflicting factions. It was under the Hans that the
flour mill was first seen in China.
Little of import emerged from China until the Sui Dynasty 589-618 AD, when
stronger government reunited the country, apart from the discovery of how to make
matches by the ladies of the Royal Court in 577 AD.
The best period of the millennium for China however, was the rule of the Tang
Dynasty 618-907 AD, when administration was centralized after a period of disunity.
This was the golden age of poetry and culture when printing first started during the
rule of Mung Huang 712-756 AD. The oldest known printed book is the Diamond
Sutra dated 868 AD.
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In Japan, meat eating and milk drinking were common until the late seventh century
and only disappeared due to the teachings of Buddhism which first arrived in Japan
from Korea in 500 AD. The result was a ban in the eighth century and the appearance
of sushi. Soy sauce came from the Asian mainland in the eighth or ninth century but
Japanese style soy sauce did not appear until the fifteenth century. Tea was introduced
from China in the ninth century but popularity faded until it was re-introduced during
the Zen Period in the twelfth century.
India
India was the wonderland in the West for the Chinese and in 61 AD the Emperor sent
a mission to the sub-continent over the Himalayas which returned in 67 AD and
Buddhism returned with it.
India also had an early effect on the Roman Empire when, in 40 AD, a Greek named
Hippolas discovered that the monsoon winds cut the voyage time to the land of spice
considerably. Soon the Romans had broken the Arab monopoly bringing pepper from
India and cinnamon from Ceylon.
By 335 AD, Samudra Gupta had risen to power in India, ruling until 375 AD, to
become India’s ‘Napoleon’. But it was Chandragupta II who subjugated all of the
sub-continent north of the Marmada River bringing 160 years of peace and prosperity
and a resurgence of Hinduism.
In the fifth century the White Huns from central Asia invaded India and held sway
until 565 AD. By 606 AD Harsha ruled in north India and became the last main
Hindu monarch. On his death the sub-continent dissolved into a series of warring
states until the beginning of the eleventh century.
In 630 AD the new religion of Islam appeared and by 712 AD the Muslims had
invaded Sind and their influence over the sub-continent of India and its cuisine
started.
Another great influence on Indian cuisine was the arrival of a boatload of Parsees
from Persia, fleeing the persecution of Islam in 745 AD. They landed at Gujarat and
were allowed to settle there bringing Parsee food to the sub-continent.
The first millennium after the birth of Christ was one of perpetual war and strife
throughout the ‘civilized world’. Although Rome ensured their culture and cuisine
spread throughout their Empire and periods of great prosperity were enjoyed in both
China and India, the overall effect was to slow down the growth and spread of food
styles and food stuffs the world over.
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Chapter 9
MEDIEVAL TO MODERN
(The last thousand years)
1000 - 2000 A.D.
As the second millennium after the birth of Jesus dawned, it was once again religion
that was taking centre stage, affecting people all over the civilized world. The spread
of Islam moved on apace with conquest on many fronts, until the West finally became
alarmed with the conquest of Syria and Palestine by the Seljuk Turks. Other followers
of Islam were making regular incursions into the Christian Byzantine Empire, until
Pope Urban II called for a ‘Holy Crusade’ in 1095.
The Crusades (1095 - 1270)
The First Crusade began assembling in 1096 amidst great enthusiasm and congregated
in Constantinople which was hoping to regain territories lost to its Byzantine Empire
in recent years. The Crusade was unique in the series in that it was one of disparate
groups - knights and adventurers not Kings or Popes. It had the clear target in most
minds of capturing Jerusalem which it achieved amidst tales of heroism and sadistic
cruelty in 1099 and then much of the army dispersed, taking with it back to Europe,
knowledge of many of the foods, herbs and spices of the East.
The event proved to be somewhat of a re-awakening for the Muslim powers which
then experienced a period of re-unification under Imas-ad-In-Zangri who recaptured
Edessa on the Euphrates in 1144. The response from the West was the Second
Crusade in 1145 which was brief and, in general terms, a failure.
Zangri died in 1146 and the gradual emergence of the brilliant Saladin was noted
when he took control of Egypt in 1169. In 1174 he became the Muslim ruler and
regained Jerusalem in 1187.
This prompted the Third Crusade which is remembered in history for the involvement
of Philip II of France, Frederick I (Barbarossa) and Richard I the Lionheart. They
did not re-capture Jerusalem but achieved significant gains until Richard eventually
left the Holy Land in 1192.
The Fourth Crusade, perhaps the most infamous, was called and led by Pope
Innocent III in 1202 and was beset by transport and financial problems. The
Venetians, who had undertaken to transport the armies but were not paid the agreed
price, persuaded the Crusaders to attack and sack Constantinople, centre of the
Christian Byzantine Empire in 1204, giving the Venetians control of the very
considerable Byzantine trade. Some historians claim Pope Innocent was horrified at
this whilst others say he actively participated in it, but the result was an irrevocable
rift between the Churches of the East and West and considerable commercial gain to
Venice.
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Another Crusade, largely in Western Europe, was fought 1208 - 1229 and yet another
in 1217 - 1221 which attacked Egypt and achieved little. Frederick II started the next
Crusade in 1227 but fell ill and incurred the wrath of the Pope who excommunicated
him, but he still tried again in 1228. His style was to negotiate the return of Jerusalem
which resulted in Pope Gregory declaring a Crusade against him.
The Muslims re-captured Jerusalem in 1244 resulting in yet another Crusade by Louis
IX in 1248. The army was outmanoeuvred and flooded outside Cairo and surrendered
in 1250. The last Crusade was declared in 1270 by Louis again but he reached no
further than Tunisia before dying and ending a period that was highly significant in
introducing the foods and cuisines of the East to Western kitchens.
Europe
In Europe the focus was on the invasion of England by the Normans, introducing new
elements to a culture influenced by the Romans. The use of spices from the East
became a status symbol by 1200 and the European preoccupation with the world of
spice was born.
In Medieval times, dinner guests would select their food from ‘chargers’ full of food,
which was then placed on large slices of bread, or ‘trenchers’, which were used as
edible plates. These were often coloured and flavoured with parsley or saffron. Guests
would arrive carrying their own knife and did not eat so much in quantity, but
hospitality meant that an abundant choice should be made available. Menus were
large and extensive, but small portions were deemed correct and tasting more
important than gorging. Food painting and even sculpture also became important.
The use of spice in food meant money and power, with cinnamon the most popular,
having been in use in wine dating back to the Anglo-Saxons and associated with
Roman and Greek usage. Ginger was used for digestion, cloves for the sinews, mace
for colic, nutmeg for colds.
The coming of William the Conquerer in 1066 was a watershed in English cuisine.
He used dining to appeal to people of diverse stations and instituted three new major
feast days. Christmas was celebrated at Gloucester with everyone invited, Easter at
Winchester and Whitsun at Westminster. The real revolution, however, came in the
time of Richard I the Lionheart.
The influence from France and from the returning Crusaders ensured a wide range of
herbs and spices were added to those of Roman Britain and used in noble kitchens.
Basil, borage, mallow, ditany, true love, fennel, ginger, cardamom, galingale, clove,
sorrel, mustard seed, nutmeg, anise, mace, mint, peppercorns and cinnamon were all
in use in medieval times. Salt was considered so important it was stored in the Tower
of London.
The result was a highly spiced cuisine for the nobility and apart from preserving and
adding taste, spices were very much a sign of wealth. Frumenty was one of the staple
dishes for the masses - wheat berries, long boiled in broth or milk, flavoured and
sweetened.
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During the reign of King John, standard mixes - powder fort, powder douce and
powder blanch - were created and colour became highly prized. In 1357, Sauce Blanc
was first recorded as the classic ‘balsamella’, in Cesna, in Italy.
As an interesting aside, the word ‘garbage’ was in common use in this period, but
meant animals innards or giblets, later thrown away, hence the association.
The alehouse first became popular in the thirteenth century and the first taverns
opened in London in 1272. By 1309 there were 354.
In feudal times a large manor had a mill for grinding, an oven for baking and gardens
for growing. The feudal castle had ducks, pheasants, pigeons, geese, hens, partridges,
fish, pork, beef, mutton, cabbage, turnips, carrots, onions, beans, peas, bread, cheese,
butter, ale and wine.
The first celebrated chef came from France to work for Edward III (1327 - 1377).
Guillaume Tirel, known as Taillevent, wrote one of the first major cookbooks called
‘Le Viander’.
A recipe from Taillevent, “Stewed Beef with Macrows” was blind taste-tested by a
BBC Radio 4 dicussion panel against a modern curry dish and it was generally agreed
that the medieval dish tasted very similar to a modern medium-strength curry.
Stewed Beef with Macrows
1lb (450g) stewing beef – cubed
1.5 pts (570ml) good beef stock
1 carrot, sliced
1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 tsp minced garlic
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Half tsp dried sage
Half tsp white pepper
2.5 inch cinnamon stick
Half tsp black peppercorns
Half tsp cloves
2 blades mace
Roughly ground in a pestle and mortar, then place in a muslin bag or spice ball
20 ml cider vinegar
2 large slices brown bread broken up
Large pinch saffron, steeped in a little hot water
Salt & pepper to taste
Generous amount chopped parsley to serve
Method :
Simmer meat, onions, herbs, seasoning and all spices except for the saffron in the stock,
skimming from time to time. After 1 hour of cooking take quarter pt (150ml) of the stock out of
the pot and mix with the vinegar. Add the crumbled bread and allow to soak. When the meat is
cooked, add the soaked bread and simmer until gravy is thickened. Add the steeped saffron
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and cook briefly until colour develops. Adjust seasoning to taste, sprinkle with fresh parsley and
serve with macrows (similar to modern macaroni).
However it was left to the reign of Richard II (1377 - 1399) for the first English
cookbook to be written - The Forme of Cury in 1390 with 196 recipes contributed by
the Royal cooks, physicians and philosophers.
In France, the first cookbooks were ‘The Little Treatise’ of 1306 and a Sion
manuscript of the late thirteenth early fourteenth century, nicknamed Taillevent before
Taillevent as it formed much of the backbone of ‘Le Viander’.
It must also be noted that there was very little reference to sugar in these books as, up
until contact with the Muslims from the eleventh century, sugar had only been used as
a medicine. French cuisine was not, however, deemed to be the culinary peak of the
era as a cookbook written by Muhammed ibn al-Hasan ibn Muhammed al-Karim
al-Katab-al Baghdadi in 1226 in Bagdad, is generally considered to be far more
varied and informative than the French works.
Mesopotamia, however, where all of it started, had sunk almost to subsistance levels
by the twelfth century with agriculture and cuisine development completely static
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India
The second millennium was one of continued invasion for the Indian sub-continent. It
started with the challenge for Khorasan in Samarind by Mahmoud Gahazmi (9991030) who sent seventeen expeditions into India from Afghanistan. By 1025 he had
annexed the Punjab and sacked many western cities.
The real founder of Muslim power, however, was Muhammed of Ghur in 1173. By
1206 AD Kutbuddin was Sultan of Delhi and the power was consolidated by
Alauddin (1296 -1316) who conquered the Deccan.
The next to invade were the Monguls under Tamerlane who invaded in 1398 and
sacked Delhi. When he withdrew he left the last of the Tughluq, Mahmud (13991413) in power. It was left to Babur, a descendant of Tamerlane, to found the Mughal
Dynasty that was to last from 1526 – 1761 and do so much for cuisine development.
Akbar, the son of Emperor Humayun who came to power at a very young age in
1542, was perhaps the greatest in the line adding Bengal to his territories and
conquering Kashmir heralding a period of tolerance, but the dynasty peaked under his
grandson Shah Jahan (1626 - 1658). It was the coming of the Muslim invader
followed by the considerable Mughal influence that gave India much of the wide
variety of cuisine that is enjoyed in the West today.
The East
Muslim and Mogul power were also the dual influences in the East during the first
half of the second millennium. The plundering of Constantinople by the Crusaders in
1204 was the beginning of the end for the Byzantine Empire and by 1354 it had been
overrun by the Ottomans, disappearing entirely by 1453.
Muhammed II captured Constantinople and much of Europe up to the Danube. Selim
I conquered Syria, Palestine, Egypt and Arabia in 1517 and in 1529 Suleiman II
conquered Hungary and besieged Vienna. It took until 1571 for the tide to turn when
John of Austria defeated the Ottoman fleet at the Battle of Lepanto. The Ottoman
Empire suffered continued wars throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries
culminating in a disastrous war with Russia (1768-1792).
China was shocked out of its complacency by the invasion of the Mongol Horde in
1206, led by Chenghis Khan, who captured Beijing in 1215 and held sway until his
death in 1227. Between 1219 and 1222 Chenghis Khan and his Mongol horde invaded
Iraq, Iran, Western Turkistan, Bukhoro, Samarkand then Peshawar and Lahore in
India/Pakistan and finally on to Russia. The famous Kublai Khan then swept to
power, continuing their influence on China, eventually conquering the Sung Dynasty
in the South and starting the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368). Kublai Khan attracted visits
by adventurers from all over the world including the Polo brothers who returned to
Venice after a first visit to Kublai Khan’s court in 1269 and then departed on a second
trip taking son Marco Polo who did so much to tell the West about the marvels of the
East when he returned to Venice.
40
It should be noted that one of these marvels was not the introduction of pasta to the
West as legend maintains as it was known in Sicily in the twelfth century and is
mentioned in documents from Genoa dated 1279 and Marco Polo did not return from
his travels until 1295.
Japan enjoyed the Shogun Period from the twelfth to nineteenth century. The Hojo’s,
although never actually Shoguns, were weakened by continued attacks from the
Mongols in 1274 and again in1281. The Hojo were pushed out by Go-Daigo in 1333
and by Ashikaga who imposed strict fuedal control. The Tokugawa Shogunate
(1603 - 1867) maintained the fuedal society and kept Japan isolated from international
influence.
Very little meat was consumed in Japan up to the Meiji era (1869-1911 AD). An
Elizabethan traveller recorded “they delight not much in fleshe, but lyve for the most
part with hearbes, fyshe, barley and rice”.
The Exploration Years
The mid fifteenth century onwards saw the emergence of a series of adventurers and
dreamers who either acted out of dreams of exotic, distant lands in the mystic East or
were prompted by nationalism and commercial pressures.
Christopher Columbus (1451 - 1506) started his adventuring to Chios in the Aegean
in the mid 1470’s and in 1476 set out for England getting only as far as Lisbon where
he settled for a while. In his first voyage of discovery seeking the Americas and Indies
in 1492 he discovered San Salvador, Cuba and other islands where, amongst other
things, the hot red pepper was discovered in Santa Domingo. In 1493 he discovered
Domenico, Guadalupe, Antigua and Puerto Rico on his second voyage, finding
paprika in Hispaniola. In 1498 he visited Trinidad then Venezuela and finally down
as far as Panama in 1506.
Amerigo Vespucci (1454 - 1512) explored the northern coast of South America 1499
- 1500 and the Spanish and Portuguese interest in the New World was at fever pitch.
In 1499 Alonso de Ojeda discovered Curacao and in 1500 Vicente Yanez Pinza
landed at Recife whilst Pedro Alvares Cabral claimed Brazil for Portugal.
The Aztecs, who had been in Mexico since the thirteenth century, had spread across
Mesoamerica by the mid 1400’s. The main religion was the worship of Quetzelcoatl,
the plumed serpent, who was tricked and disgraced by another god Tezcatlipoca, and
he left vowing to return, showing close parallels to the ancient Osiris legend.
Modern archeologists in Mexico have recently made discoveries that lead them to
suggest that Roman sailors reached the Americas but this seems unlikely as neither
chillis nor tomatoes appeared in Europe in Roman times although both would have
been very popular if they had. If explorers did reach those shores in Roman times, it
would seem they did not return to the Empire.
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It was left to Hernan Cortes (1485 - 1547) to ‘discover’ South America when he
sailed for Santa Domingo in 1504. In 1509 the Spanish found allspice in Jamaica and
in 1518 Cortes launched his expedition to Mexico, launching his attack on the Aztecs
in 1519. By 1565 Saint Augustine had been founded by the Spanish in Florida and
Jamestown became the first English settlement in 1607. At the time of the arrival of
Spain in the New World, there was no riding of animals but squash, beans, peas and
corn were part of the normal diet.
The consequences of this period for world cuisine cannot be over-emphasised,
introducing many, previously unknown foodstuffs to Europe, not the least of which
were the tomato and chilli.
The Portuguese were in Guinea-Bissau in Africa in the person of slave trader Nuno
Tristao in 1446 but their most famous explorer was Vasco da Gama, who set out for
India in 1497 and in 1498 landed in Calicut in the south and brought back cinnamon,
cloves, ginger and pepper.
The Portuguese influence which led to a trade monopoly was strengthened in15091515, under Dom Alfonso d'Alberqueque. It was the Portuguese who introduced or
influenced so much of the Goan food which is so popular today, and such dishes as
Vindaloo - nothing to with potatoes (aloo), but rather, based on the Portuguese words
for wine and garlic. It was the Portuguese who introduced chillies into Cochin and
Calicut in 1501 and by 1543 three varieties were successfully being grown locally. So
unfamiliar were the local people with chilli prior to the coming of the Portuguese that,
for many years, it was known as Goan Pepper.
It was the Spanish who brought the tomato from Peru and Mexico to Spain from
where it spread, initially unsuccessfully, throughout the world whilst Portugal was
responsible for taking the taro, potato, sweet potato and frying in batter (Tempura) to
Japan in the sixteenth century as well as castera or kasutera (sponge cake) which was
new to that country as they had no history of cake making with wheat flour.
As Spain and Portugal continued their exploration and exploitation of newly
discovered countries, Holland, France and England looked on with envy and all three
soon entered the fray. Under the influence of Elizabeth I in England, Sir Francis
Drake (1540 - 1596) ranged as far as Valparaiso then San Francisco in 1578 and in
1579 visited the Moluccas and Java returning in 1580 with a rich cargo of spices. Sir
Walter Raleigh (1554 - 1618) also travelled in search of riches and conquest for his
Queen, visiting America in 1578 and Guyana in 1595.
The East India Companies
Following the example of Portugal, Denmark, England, France and Holland each
encouraged private commerce to become involved in the riches the Indies had to
offer. The first of these was the English East India Company founded in 1600 and
arriving at Surat in 1608 and again in 1612, travelling to Japan in 1610 and 1611.
English cooking at the time was heavy with cumin, caraway, ginger, pepper, cloves
and nutmeg so the commercial opportunities of a cheap, ready supply were very
obvious.
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The Dutch East India Company travelled throughout China, Japan, India, Iran, Cape
of Good Hope, Malaysia, Indonesia and Malabar reaching a peak in 1669 when they
finally destroyed the Portuguese monopoly.
The French were relatively late on the scene not being founded until 1664 but made
their presence known at Surat in 1675 and ruled supreme at Pondicherry until 1761.
Other voyages of exploration also went to Africa and the Mississippi area of America.
The last to enter the race were the Danish in 1729 but they were almost immediately
broken by the British and had little influence.
The appearance of the English East India Company at the court of Emperor Jahangir
at Surat in 1612 heralded three hundred years of influence in the Indian sub-continent.
The Portuguese attacked the people they saw as intruders but were defeated at sea and
soon it was the turn of the Dutch to attack, only to be defeated by the end of the
seventeenth century.
In 1633 the Company visited Orissa founding Madras (now Chennai) in 1639.
Trading privileges were given for Bengal in 1651 and the British acquired Bombay
(now Mumbai) from Portugal in 1661 and were in Calcutta by 1690. This laid the
whole of the Indian spice trade open to Britain and although the demand had been
there since the times of the Crusades and even before, the new prices made them
available to a much wider market.
The French provided a serious threat in 1746 when they seized Madras, not returning
it until 1748. Hostilities continued 1756 - 1763 as an extension of the Seven Years
War in Europe. Britain won many victories the most important of which was Robert
Clive’s victory at Plassey making Britain the masters of Bengal with the French
reduced to a few trading posts.
Europe
France had gradually taken over the mantle of cuisine leader of Europe. From 14001800 AD, much of the world ate mainly vegetables, with the exception of Europe,
which enjoyed meat eating from the Middle Ages onwards due to a relatively low
population density.
From the seventeenth century, the amount of meat eaten by the lower classes fell as
the population increased, to be reversed in the middle of the nineteenth century as
meat came from America and refrigeration was introduced. Luncheon only became
recognised as a mid-day meal in the early nineteenth century. Before this was
nuncheon, a snack between early breakfast and afternoon dinner, which gradually
moved from around 3:00pm to 8:00pm.The characteristic meal in France in the
Middle Ages was the feast, which changed to a collation in the sixteenth, the fête in
the seventeenth and the intimate supper in the eighteenth century.
With the Renaissance in Europe, the French bean was an immediate success, but the
tomato only took off initially in Italy. Corn and potato were seen mainly as foods for
livestock or the poor. Salads became popular around 1700 and the French decreed the
rule of fruit at the start of the meal and salad at the end. Vegetables became dishes,
43
rather than garnish, from the seventeenth century, due to the fasting period of Lent,
although this did not apply in England.
Much is made by some historians of the move by Catherine de Medici and her
entourage to France as Queen in 1530 and they have even attributed the growth of
French cuisine from this time on to the influence of her Italian cooks. Influence she
certainly did have but there is little evidence to suggest it was of the kind popularly
attributed to her. She was just fourteen when she became Queen of France and had a
very small entourage, most of whom were not even Italian. Catherine’s main
influence was on feasts and major gatherings. The style of cuisine throughout France
showed no change in the 1530’s and 40’s but certainly did so after the two year tour
of the country in 1564 when she introduced her son to the people of France and gave
so many the opportunity to experience Court cuisine. The evidence suggests it was
left to Catherine’s third son Henri III to introduce the fork to France after a trip to
Venice. Even then the fork had the specific purpose of allowing those adopting the
neck ruff to dine properly by spearing the food and putting it into their mouths from
above, clear of the ruff. Knife, fork and spoon did not appear together until the
sixteenth century and the earliest printed reference to them was in Scappi’s cookbook
of 1570.
Meanwhile, in China, which was reaching the height of its influence under the
Manchu Dynasty (1644 - 1911), reaching out to Tibet, Mongolia, Burma, Korea,
Vietnam and even Nepal, the humble chopsticks remained the eating implement as
they had since the time of Confucius. It was he who argued that no weapon of
agression should grace the dining table, thus ruling out knives as used elsewhere in
the world.
Gradually French cuisine developed with Francois Pierre de la Varenne developing
the first real French sauces in the 1600’s. Printing proved to be very important to this
development as it gave access to the recipes of Greece and Rome. Le Viander was the
first printed cookbook in 1490 followed by Apicius in 1498 and the The
Deipnosophists by Athanaeus in 1514. It was not, however, until the late seventeenth
century that French cuisine took on its present character.
London
Meanwhile, in London, the population had increased in the sixteenth century up to
250,000 with cookshops, inns and alehouses. Bread was still the staple and ten
commercial bakeries were set up in 1516. The cookshops were the forerunners of the
snack bar and restaurant and were located in Bread Street, Eastcheap and similar
areas. Lavish meals were organised by the livery companies and the Dinner Book of
the Draper’s Company contained complete menus from 1564 - 1602. From small
beginnings the City of London alone had 1000 alehouses by 1613.
The seventeenth century saw the change from medieval. Business was concluded in
taverns and, later, coffee houses though poor people stayed with the cookshops and
street hawkers. Luxury Eating Houses began to open, especially after the influx of
Hughenots from France in 1680. Lunch remained the main meal but by 1660 it had
moved to mid/late afternoon. The first hallmarked fork appeared in 1632 and
‘ordinaries’ open with fixed price meals.
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The first London coffee house opened in 1652 in St Michaels Alley, Cornhill(see
Appendix 2) and by the following year there were 63 in the City serving coffee from
Turkey and the Middle East. It is for this reason that many establishments were called
The Turks Head and tipping is said to have come from putting money in a box to
ensure prompt service. During the seventeeth century punch was very popular
containing arrack from Goa and in 1650 chocolate was introduced.
Meanwhile, in America, Britain was faced with rebellion with the American
Revolution 1775 - 1783.
Up to modern times
Continual wars saw the map of the world change on a regular basis as Imperialism
grew, introducing an ever increasing array of cuisine influences to the older European
nations.
In the Orient, Hong Kong became a British Dependency after the First Opium War in
1842, opening up the way for Chinese cuisine to travel to Britain and in 1853
Commodore Matthew Perry opened up the USA link with Japan which had been
insular for so long.
In Europe Napoleon Bonaparte struck at British trade in Egypt when he attacked in
1798 but was defeated by Nelson. His army failed to take Syria but beat the Turks at
Abi Qir in 1799 when he returned to seize power in France. He defeated the Austrians
in 1800 and a worried Britain resumed the war in 1803. In 1806 Napoleon seized
Naples and blockaded British goods before finally being beaten at Waterloo in 1815.
Elsewhere in the world the first horse-drawn omnibus was seen in 1828 and Antoine
Careme was appointed cook to Tsar Alexander I of Russia and Baron de Rothschild.
Henry Jones of Bristol produced the first self raising flour in 1845 and the first gas
cooker was introduced in the 1850’s and the electric cooker in the 1890’s.
In 1853-56 Europe was rocked by the Crimean War followed by the American Civil
War 1861 - 1865.
By the mid nineteenth century the French had plunged themselves into the joys
offered by food and its preparation and all the great houses in Europe and America
boasted French chefs.
In 1870 - 1871 Russia besieged Paris and the Parisians starved whilst in 1875
Remington was introducing the typewriter and Alexander Graham Bell the
telephone in 1876. Karl Benz revealed his three wheeled car in 1885. In America,
Chili con Carne was first written about in The Camp and Fields in 1857 by S.
Compton-Smith and in 1896 Chop Suey was supposedly created in New York by Li
Hung-Chang.
In India, Britain had gained complete mastery from the other European powers with
the last Nawab of Bengal being killed at Plassey in 1757. At this time India adopted
the chop (although it became a round potato cake with stuffing), and the cutlet,
consisting of meat, chicken or prawn pounded to a flat oval with the bone sticking out.
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In 1838 Lea and Perrins launched Worcestershire Sauce, the recipe for which had
been brought back from India in 1835 by Lord Marcus Sandys. Curry powder had
been invented along the lines of garam masala long before in the seventeeth century
and was very similar to ‘Kitchen pepper’ which was noted in English recipes around
1682, including ginger, pepper, cloves, nutmegs and cinnamon.
In 1809 Dean Mohamet (or Mahomed) from Patna in Bihar, India, opened the first
'Indian' restaurant dedicated to Indian cuisine. The Hindostanee Coffee House in
George Street, London offered meat and vegetable dishes with Indian spices and
seasoned rice. The restaurant was very ornate and costs were high such that he had to
apply for bankruptcy in 1812. By 1850 curry was well established. Queen Victoria,
who had an Indian confidant, Abdul Karim, is said to have had a curry prepared
every day by two Indian chefs in the event she had a visitor from India. Abdul Karim
became the Queen's favourite and most favoured servant, often being referred to as
"her Munshi". He remained close to her during all her travels until she died in 1901
when he was allowed to walk with the funeral procession.He finally returned to Agra
where he died at the age of 46 in 1909. During this century migrating Hindus took the
curry to the West Indies creating the influences on Caribbean cuisine we see today.
As the nineteenth century progressed, unrest emerged throughout India resulting in
the revolts by the Sikhs of Punjab in 1845 and 1846 causing 2500 British casualities.
They were eventually defeated in 1849 but this saw the beginning of disenchantment
back in Britain with the sub-continent.
In 1857 the famous Sepoy Mutiny near Delhi began under the banner of Bahadur
Shah II the last of the Mughal Emperors. Europeans were massacred and siege was
laid to the British Residency in Lucknow. The uprising was put down in 1859 ending
the final chapter of Mughal history in India and the British Government assumed
control from the East India Company.
This aggression further alienated British public opinion which was heightened by the
spread of Indian nationalism with acts of terrorism by a few and acts of repression by
the British. In 1885 the India National Congress was founded to further fan the flames
and by the early years of the new century British goods were being banned in India.
Thus the love affair with all things Indian, particularly the food, which had been so
obvious up to mid nineteenth century, gave ground to the total influence of French
cusine and virtual disappearance of spicy food.
Service à la Russe was introduced into England around 1850 from Russia via France,
leading eventually to the three course meal of today. Each country developed a style
to suit its own requirements.
Denmark had the Smörrebrod for lunch, (open sandwich), plus an evening meal with
fruit or cake; an enormous breakfast was the habit in Norway with a sandwich for
lunch and a two-course dinner; in Sweden, smorgasbord originated for the pooling of
resources; in Finland, a simple breakfast was followed by a soup and a main course
for lunch and a three-course dinner; Spain and Portugal enjoyed foods rather more
sober and conservative, undisguised by sauces and dressings; North Africa kept alive
the feasting ritual and great desserts; and in France, it depended upon where you lived
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as to whether you cooked in olive oil, goosefat or butter and used garlic, shallots or
onions.
Restaurants were not important in France until after the Revolution and the earliest
use of the word ‘restaurant’ was by Clement Marot in the early sixteenth century to
refer to a group of fortifying meat broths. In 1765, however, a man named Boulanger
set up a business to avoid the Guild monopoly on the sale of broths by offering
'restaurants' - ragouts on his own premises on little marble tables without cloth with a
choice of poached poultry with coarse salt, fresh eggs and broth. Restaurants had
arrived, and one of Paris’ three Michelin star restaurants still operating, Le Grand
Vefours, opened by 1800.
Britain in the eighteenth century was a time of new money and flourishing commerce.
Recipe books were published, eating houses flourished and Coffee Houses offered
food. Chop Houses opened and beef was considered a sign of strength and prosperity.
Even then weight was considered a problem and moderation recommended although
the diet for the poor was still bread, cheese and pie. Inns became unisex but taverns
remained men only. The London Tavern, for instance, was known for its food and
association with politics with John Wilkes as a regular customer. Chop Houses were
popular and turtle was considered a high status food with those who could not afford
it having mock-turtle made from calves head.
In 1830 Alexis Soyer was one of the many French chefs who came to Britain and his
thinking influenced British dining for many years. The nineteenth century saw the
arrival of restaurants and hotels in Britain with celebrity chefs such as Ude,
Francatelli and Escoffier, who started the a la carte style of dining during his twenty
years at the London Carlton from 1899. Three establishments in Leicester Square in
1815 were described as ‘French restaurants’. Concern about food adulteration led to
the 1875 Sale of Food and Drugs Act with a great improvement in quality by 1880.
Sandwiches became very popular and some eating houses started to specialise in fish
and baked potato leading to the famous British fish and chip industry.
In 1851 the Great Exhibition helped people forget the tragedies of the Irish potato
famine and poor corn harvests of 1845 - 1846 but it took until 1880 before women
began to join men in restaurants.
In 1860 the first recorded fish and chip shop was opened by John Lees in Oldham
and from small beginnings numbers grew to 30,000 outlets in the early 1900s, falling
back to the present day 8500.
In England and Wales, the 1871 census recorded an Italian population of 5,063 and by
1911 this number had risen to 20,389. The Italian community in London dates back to
the eighteenth century. These were mainly educated political refugees and settled
around Clerkenwell and Holborn in London. The first ‘Italian’ restaurant we know of
was run by Joseph Moretti who was born in Venice in 1773. He ran an 'Italian Eating
House, just off Leicester Square from 1803-1805 according to his descendent Colin.
Moretti, marrying Jane Bargman in 1799 and John Baptiste Pagliano married Sarah
Bargman in 1798. Pagliano, born in Piedmont in 1774, established an hotel in St
Martins Street called Newton's(1799) and later owned The Sabloniere in Leicester
Suare which was renowned for its catering.
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In 1900 Coca Cola came into Britain with Charles Candler after being introduced in
America in 1886 at Jacobs Pharmacy in Atlanta and Britain was pre-occupied with the
Boer War 1899 - 1902.
The War Years
The war years of the twentieth century completely reversed natural cuisine
development with many on an almost starvation diet and most meals “bulked-out” to
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compensate for lack of meat and dairy produce. Few exotic foods or spices were
available in Europe and vegetables predominated with bread, tea and potatoes.
J. Lyons & Co Ltd opened their first huge establishement in Coventry Street in 1907
and the Strand in London in 1912. Such was the success of their simple concept that
Maison Lyons was opened near Marble Arch in 1933 seating 2000 people and
employing 1000 staff but even at that it did not equal the 4000 seating at Coventry
Street. The cream of Britain's and Europe’s men had been lost in the 1914-18 war and
the depression of the twenties added to the misery but the Empire Exhibition at
Wembley in 1924 put on a brave imperial face and did much to legitimise ethnic
foods. The great exhibition boasted a Mughal palace (operated by the man who went
on to open Veeraswamy in London), a Nigerian fortress, a Hong Kong street and even
a Samoan house.
In 1927 Charles Lindbergh flew to Paris and in 1937 Xavier Marcel Boulestin
became the first TV chef.
The beginning of the Second World War put Britain back to subsistance eating and
food rationing of bacon, ham, butter, sugar, cooking fat, meat, tea, cheese, jam, eggs
and sweets was introduced in 1940. Lemons and oranges disappeared overnight and
luxury fruits sold at amazing prices. Bananas also disappeared as did, strangely,
onions and in 1941 melons were selling at £2 each. Just when people thought the
hardships were over, bread rationing was introduced in 1946 until 1948. However, the
Second World War did introduce an enforced understanding of the need for a
nutritionally balanced diet.
The post war years gradually saw the return to restaurant dining, with groups like
Berni (first one opened in Bristol selling steak, chips and peas) and Beefeater and a
gradual international influence in the foods eaten in Britain. The Good Food Guide
was established and Elizabeth David wrote her famous ‘Book of Mediterranean Food
& French Country Cooking’. Wimpy opened in 1954 and by 1956 Britain boasted
3000 self service stores as food shopping changed its style.
In the mid fifties the package tour began to show itself, becoming the accepted form
of overseas holiday over the following ten years and the process of British people
learning overseas cuisines at first hand began.
Immigration became an important factor as peoples from British interests all over the
world arrived seeking a new life and bringing their culture and cuisines. Political
changes in India with Partition into India and East & West Pakistan on August 15th
1947 caused great upheavals as did the Independence of East Pakistan (originally
Bengal) on 26th March 1971 to become Bangladesh. Between 1951 and 1961 the
number of Pakistanis in Britain grew from 5,000 to 24,000 - Indians from 38,800 to
81,400 - West Indians from 25,300 to 171,800 - East Asians from 12,000 to 29,600
and West African from 5,600 to 19,800.
Interest in food from the mysterious East was further heightened when Coronation
Chicken, a spicy mixture including curry paste, red wine, apricot halves, mayonnaise
and cream, was invented by Constance Spry and served at the Queen's Coronation
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lunch in 1953. This was followed by Vesta Instant Curries (beef & chicken) in the
1960’s, often many peoples first introduction to Indian food.
The Empire Exhibition at Wembley
(Photos courtesy of Pye’s of Clitheroe)
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Fast food appeared with Pizza Express starting in 1965 and McDonalds in 1974 and
the 1960’s saw a veritable feast of new foodstyles with ethnic food becoming very
popular in some sections of the community.
By 1966 the retail emphasis had moved from the self service store to the supermarket
with 2500 outlets available to the British public.
Only in the last twenty five years has the world become a global food market and, for
the first time since agriculture started, some ten thousand years ago, people in the
West can readily enjoy foods from all over the world, economically and of a high
quality. The culinary phenomenon of the second half of the twentieth century in
Britain was the growth in ethnic restaurants and the booming retail market for ethnic
foods. The phenomenon was heralded as an inexplicable occurance by many who had
long considered British food to be bland and boring - that is until they dipped into
history.
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Appendix 1
MEDIEVAL FOCUS
'Pease Pudding and a suck of Bacon'
The Medieval period was a time of great change in England and Europe. It saw
social change, religious and economic change. It saw the change of a system built
on feudalism to the start of a system based on capitalism.
Many foreign foods, herbs and spices had been in England since the time of the
Romans, but they had not filtered through to the general populace.
London had been burnt in AD61 after the rebellion of Queen Boudica but in 100AD it
was rebuilt and by the 3rd century had some 30,000 inhabitants. The city slumped in
importance on the departure of the Romans and was then sacked by the Danes in the
9th century. Alfred resettled it in 883 and by the time William the Conqueror arrived
in 1066 it had become known as Lundontoun.
Old London Bridge was built for commerce across the Thames in 1209 and remained
the only bridge until 1750. By 1400 there were only some 2.5 million people in
England and when it became the capital under Edward III in 14th century it was the
only British city comparable in size with cities on the continent (around 50,000).
William the Conqueror provided the first impetus to major change when he used
dining to appeal to people of diverse station, holding feats at Gloucester at Christmas,
Winchester, Easter and Westminster at Whitsun.
The second major impetus was the First Crusade 1096-1097 which, unlike other
Crusades, was one of knights and adventurers who dispersed in 1099 spreading the
foods, herbs and spices they had found in the East. By 1200 spices had already
become a status symbol although cinnamon had been used since Anglo Saxon times in
wine and the Romans and Greeks had introduced ginger for digestion, cloves for
sinews, mace for colic and nutmeg for colds.
These two major forces caused England to open up from the feudal Dark Ages.
Henry FitzAilwyn became London's first mayor in 1193 after the community's
recognition by John in 1191 who then went on to grant its first charter in 1215.
London was a hub of growing commerce, very crowded, full of rats, the water
polluted and the streets strewn with mud, excrement and offal. There were regular
fires and the Church, the major landowner, held sway.
The alehouse became popular in the 13th century and London had its first tavern in
1272. By 1309 there were 354. Many church sites were built by a growing number of
factions. One such was the Hospital of St Mary Spital founded in 1197 for the sick,
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poor and pregnant mothers. It was refounded in 1235 and the Spitalfields Chapel and
Charnel House built in 1391 dedicated to St Mary Magdalene and St Edmund.
In 1349 the Black Death reached London and wiped out one third of the populace
acting as a natural break to growth. Life was hard and life expectancy low.
The rich and gentry lived a generally debauched, colourful existence, though short
due to ill health. Edward III (1327-77) employed Guillaume Tirel (Taillevent) as his
chef such was the interest in and importance of food amongst the upper classes and
Tirel wrote Le Viander, one of the first major cookery books.
Noble kitchens had been influenced by returning Crusaders featuring basil, borage,
mallow, dittany, true love, fennel, ginger, cardamom, galingale, cloves, sorrel,
mustard seed, nutmeg, anise, mace, mint, peppercorns and cinnamon. Salt was
considered so important it was kept in the Tower of London.
The active day for both peasant and noble was sunrise to sunset. Castle life consisted
of a small breakfast of bread, cheese and wine then a large dinner taken between 1012 am and supper at sunset, once again with bread, cheese and a stew or soup (hence
souper). Wine was usually the drink of choice (England was the main consumer of
wine from the Continent) plus mead and ale. Wassail (ale, honey and spices) was used
for special occasions. They would have ducks, pheasants, pigeons, geese, hens,
partridges, fish, pork, beef, mutton, cabbage, turnips, carrots, onions, beans, peas,
bread, cheese, butter, ale and wine all available to them as required.
A large manor would also be quite self-sufficient with a mill for grinding, oven for
baking and gardens for growing. Indeed, food was becoming such a status symbol that
special spice powders (fort, douce, blanch) were introduced in the time of King John
and in 1390 in the time of Richard II, the first English cookery book, The Forme of
Cury, was produced with 196 recipes compiled by his chefs and others.
The diet of nobility (including the Church) was rich and indulgent. The installation of
Archbishop Neville of York in 1467 had 6000 guests and required :
300 quarters of wheat
300 tuns ale
100 tuns wine
1 pipe hippocras
104 oxen
6 wild bulls
304 calves
400 swans
2000 geese
1000 capons
2000 pigs
104 peacocks
13500 other birds
500 stags
1500 venison pies
1000 sheep
304 porkas
608 pike and bream
12 porpoises and seals
13000 dishes of jelly, tarts, sugared delicacies.
Throughout the Medieval period England developed under the impetus of war and
trade which was most keenly felt in London. The Hundred Years War with France ran
from 1337-1453 in a series of conflicts between the Capetions and Plantagenets.
Crafts grew apace as did trade and in 1358 several cities in Germany formed the
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Hanseatic League to trade with England. They were given the name 'Easterlings' from
which our currency 'sterling' derives.
The gentry were attracted to London from the country to 'make their fortune' which
many did. One such was Richard (Dick) Whittington, son of a knight who came to
London to sell cloth and velvets and became an Alderman in 1393 then Lord Mayor in
1397 - 1406 and again in1419.
In 1400 the orange was first introduced to the West but it was not until 1492 that
Columbus discovered red chilli peppers in Santa Domingo and even later that such
things as tomatoes and turkey appeared.
The forerunners of the modern snack bar appeared on specialist streets in London
such as Bread Street and Eastcheap and by 1516 there were ten commercial bakeries
in London.
The gentry were, however, not the only ones to be attracted to London. In the early
Medieval period England still operated under villeinage (serfdom) although it was
often accepted that one who escaped to a city such as London and remained free for a
year and a day was a freeman.
These found the streets not paved with gold but mud, excrement and offal. Indeed the
cast-off innards and giblets often thrown out casually from the richer houses were
called 'garbage', later to come to mean rubbish. One of the many street cries "Pease
pudding and a suck of bacon" came from the vendor selling slices of quite firm but
nutritious pease pudding with a piece of bacon on a string which was yanked back out
of the purchasers mouth once he or she had had their 'suck'.
The peasant’s life was hard. Homes tended to be one room with a central stone hearth
that served to provide lighting and heating. Where extra light was required, tallow
candles were used making the rooms not only still dark and dingy but smelly and
smoke-filled. Washing was rare.
Their diet consisted of vegetables - often turnips - plus dark, rough, breads not fit for
the nobility. In addition frumenty was very popular (wheat berries, long boiled in
broth or sometimes milk, flavoured or sweetened) plus fish occasionally, cheese
curds, small beer, ale and rarely, meat of an inferior type. Chickens were rarely eaten
due to the importance of eggs.
The winter was particularly hard with food quite scarce (even the rich often turned to
pigeons) but the working hours were shorter and physical demands less apart from
just trying to keep warm. The diet might be considered healthy, if on the meagre side
(not much more than 1000 kcals), today but for the unsanitary conditions they lived
in. Lifespan rarely extended beyond 30 and girls were married at 13 or 14. Death in
childbirth was common. They still believed toothache was caused by a worm so the
treatment was to hold a lighted candle to it and if all else failed, yank it. The treatment
for wounds was soot or a hot poker.
54
The rich, despite their lavish diet, were even less healthy due to over-indulgence.
They had scurvy, syphilis, tooth decay, heart problems, skin rashes, infections caused
by rotting meat and lack of proper nutrition.
The first signs of real social change came in 1381 with the Peasants Revolt. The
uprising came from a popular upswell of those who no longer wanted to be serfs or do
labour services. They demanded an escape from villeinage and to pay 4 pence a year
to rent the land they worked.
The general imbalance of nutrition for rich and peasant alike can be seen by a
comparison with optimum nutrition levels today. An athlete in training needs some
5000 kcal a day (or more depending on size and weight). The rich undoubtedly
consumed more than this on a regular basis with little or no activity. An active male
needs 2900 kcals a day but with frumenty only providing 400 kcals a portion and a
chunk of dark, rough bread just 215 kcals, it is unlikely the peasants ever reached the
optimum level and paupers way below this.
The very popular frumenty
55
Appendix 2
HISTORY OF COFFEE HOUSES
IN BRITAIN
Antony Wood writes in Athenae Oxonienses (1691) that the first coffee house
opened in Oxford in 1651:"Jacob, a Jew, opened a Coffee house at the Angel, in the Parish of St Peter in the
East, Oxon, and there it was by some, who delighted in the novelty, drank"
By 1652, at the time of the Restoration, the first coffee house was opened in London
by Pasqua Rosee, a Ragusian man-servant, in St Michaels Alley, Cornhill. Quickly
other coffee houses opened and they soon became a focus for the cultural ferment in
England. In fact, coffee houses become such a popular forum for the intelligensia that
they were dubbed 'penny universities,' a penny being the price of a cup of coffee. As a
testament to the influence of these places, Edward Lloyd's coffee house which was
opened in 1668 and frequented by merchants and maritime insurance agents
eventually became Lloyd's of London - the best known insurance company in the
world.
A fateful decision made by the East India Company to import tea instead of coffee led
to the demise of the Coffee House and England's 'Cafi Culture.' But for that event,
coffee could have been the UK's national drink.
By 1663 it is recorded that there were 82 coffee houses in London and by 1700 there
were 3000. The popularity of these establishments led to certain opposition. For
example 'The Women's Petition Against Coffee' was set up and it claimed in 1674 that
coffee:... made men as unfruitful as the deserts whence the unhappy berry is said to be
brought.
In the following year King Charles II tried to rid London of its coffee houses with an
edict :Whereas it is most apparent that the multitude of coffee houses of late years set up
and kept within this kingdom, the dominion of Wales and the town of Berwick-uponTweed, and the great resort of idle and disaffected persons to them, have produced
very evil and dangerous effects, as well as that many tradesmen and others do therein
misspend much of their time, which might and probably would otherwise be employed
in and about their lawful callings and affairs, but also for that in such houses, and by
occasion of the meeting of such persons therein, many false, malicious, and
scandalous reports are devised and spread abroad, to the deformation of his
Majesty's government and to the disturbance of the peace and quiet of the realm, his
Majesty has thought it fit and necessary that the said coffee houses be for the future
put down and suppressed.
56
The edict went on to ban the sale of coffee, chocolate, sherbet and tea in coffee houses
or private homes. The outcry was such that Charles decided to back off and no further
mention was made of his edict.
Different coffee houses acted as the meeting place for different groups of people. In
fact many people would give a particular coffee house as the address where they
might be contacted. For example Child's Coffee House near Gresham College, was
frequented by the clergy. Lloyd's Coffee House, founded by Edward Lloyd of Tower
street had ship owners and merchants as customers and acted as a hub through which
news about ships was passed. It moved to Lombard Street in 1692 and eventually
moved into insurance and became Lloyd's of London.
The Grecian, as the name might suggest, attracted those interested in philosophy and
other academic disciplines. Macaulay wrote:Those who wished to find a gentleman commonly asked, not whether he lived in Fleet
Street or Chancery Lane, but whether he frequented the Grecian or the Rainbow.
The second coffee house mentioned in this quote is the Rainbow, the second oldest
coffee house in London, opened by James Farr in Fleet Street in 1657. Another quote
by one who frequented the Grecian is the following:While other parts of the town are amused with the present actions, we generally spend
the evening at this table in inquiries into antiquity, and think anything news which
gives us new knowledge.
In Inns and Taverns of Old London by Henry C Shelley one reads:Men of science as well as scholars gave liberal patronage to the Grecian. It was a
common thing for meetings of the Royal Society to be continued in a social way at this
coffee-house, the president, Sir Isaac Newton, being frequently of the parties. Hither,
too, came Professor Halley, the great astronomer, to meet his friends on his weekly
visit to London from Oxford ...
Jonathan's Coffee House, in Exchange Alley, had merchants as customers and is
now considered as having developed into the London Stock Exchange. Hooke and
Wren were often in Jonathan's taking part in scientific discussions.
Slaughter's Coffee House in St Martin's Lane was established in 1692. It was famed
as a centre for chess players but it was also a popular place for those seeking
mathematical advice. Abraham de Moivre was considered the resident mathematician
at Slaughter's. He would give advice on risk, or chance of loss as he called it.
Dating from 1802, the term café comes from the French 'café' (meaning 'coffee' or
'coffeehouse') and the Italian 'caffe' (also meaning 'coffee'.) In 1839 'caféteria' had
been coined in American English from Mexican Spanish to indicate a coffee-store.
But the café has been reinvented many times over the centuries.
From 1675, a thousand or so coffee houses flowered during the reigns of Charles II,
Queen Anne and George I. By the 19th century however, coffee houses had become
57
exclusive clubs as a prolific press and an efficient post and transport system
undermined the function of the coffee houses as centres of communication.
Sometimes coffee houses were used for more formal educational activities such as
lectures, but more commonly they provided a base for clubs and societies - including
debating clubs. The first of these is supposed to have been based at Mile's Coffee
House, at the sign of the Turk's Head in New Palace Yard in 1659.
William Lovett noted that around a quarter of the 2000 London coffee houses had
libraries - some of which had as many as 2000 volumes. Coffee Houses also,
traditionally, supplied newspapers for customers to read.
So far as is known the first coffee house in the Piazza (Covent Garden) was the
Bedford, established at No. 14 in 1726. Coffee houses were soon increasing in
number, probably because of the growth of custom from the patrons and hangers-on
of the two neighbouring theatres. The Piazza Coffee House was in fact founded by
the actor, Charles Macklin, in 1754. 'The Piazza: The Social Decline of the Piazza',
Survey of London tells us :
The earliest account of the existence of a coffee-house in the capital is found in a
1652 reference to a Ragusian man-servant known as Pasqua Rosee. Mr Rosee had
been brought to England from Ottoman Smyrna by his former employer, Mr Daniel
Edwards, a "Turkey merchant" (one who dealt in coffee and other such luxury items).
After a falling out with his boss, Pasqua Rosee then teamed up and went into business
with another employee of Mr Edwards', his old coachman. The two unlikely business
partners proceeded to establish a coffee-house in Cornhill, known in some accounts
as "The Turk's Head". It is claimed that this is how coffee first came to these sceptred
isles, about 100 years after the first coffee-houses opened in Turkey. However, the
Elizabethan essayist Francis Bacon, in his Historia Vitae et Mortis, which was
published as early as 1605, warned the public against the dangerous properties of
coffee and this implies that some contact at least had existed prior to the establishing
of the actual coffee-house.
Up to 57 different "Turk's Head" coffee-houses were recorded in one form or other.
We also find "The Jerusalem Coffee-house"; various types of the "Blackamoor" or
"Ye Blackmore's Head"; "The Oriental Cigar Divan"; "The Saracen's Head" (of
Dickens fame); "The Africa and Senegal Coffee-house"; "The Sultaness"; "The
Sultan's Head"; "Solyman's Coffee House"; "Morat Ye Great", and many, many more
examples can be found, among them the first Indian restaurant of London, "The
Hindoostanee" of 1810.
The "Great Turk Coffee House" (also known as "Morat Ye Great") in Exchange Alley
in 1662 is a case in point. Apparently, inside could be found a bust of "Sultan
Almurath IV" himself, "the most detestable tyrant that ever ruled the Ottoman
Empire". The customer could not only find coffee, tea and tobacco here, but also
chocolate and a range of sherbets, which, according to the Mercurius Publicus (12-19
March 1662), were "made in Turkie; made of lemons, roses, and violets perfumed".
Another chronicler of the time has suggested that "Morat" was actually the name of
the proprietor himself.
58
The Character of a Coffee-House
And if you see the great Morat
With shash on's head instead of hat,
Or any Sultan in his dress,
Or picture of a Sultaness,
Or John's admired curl'd pate,
Or th' great Mogul in's Chair of State,
Or Constantine the Grecian,
Who 14 years was th' only man
That made coffee for th' great Bashaw,
Although the man he never saw;
Of if you see a coffee-cup
Filled from a Turkish pot, hung up
Withing the clouds, and round it Pipes,
Wax candles, stoppers, these are types
And certain signs (with many more
Would be too long to write them ore'),
Which plainly do spectators tell
That in that house they coffee sell.
[Anonymous, 1665]
59
Appendix 3
HISTORY OF THE ETHNIC
RESTAURANT IN BRITAIN
Although the term ‘restaurant’ was originally used by Clermont Marot in the
sixteenth century to describe a broth, it was not until the time of Boulanger in 1765
that it actually began to be used in its present context. Food catering establishments
which may be described as restaurants were known since the 12th century in
Hangzhou, a cultural, political and economic centre during China's Song Dynasty.
With a population of over 1 million people, a culture of hospitality and a paper
currency, Hangzhou was ripe for the development of restaurants. Probably growing
out of the tea houses and taverns that catered to travellers, Hangzhou's restaurants
blossomed into an industry catering to locals as well. Restaurants catered to different
styles of cuisine, price brackets, and religious requirements. The earliest recorded
commercial eating house is Ma Yung's Bucket Chicken House Chuin in Kaifung,
China where dim sum was supposedly invented in 1153 AD.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the Sobrino de Botin in Madrid, Spain
is the oldest restaurant in existence today having opened in 1725. Ethnic restaurants in
Britain are mainly a phenomenon of the twentieth century but the recipes and dishes
themselves did appear on menus in Coffee Houses and Taverns over a hundred years
earlier.
Indian
The history of Indian food in Britain is now over four hundred years old and not only
has the cuisine undergone a great change in the United Kingdom but also in its native
land. Apart from the reports of occasional explorers, the story really starts with the
arrival in Surat of the English merchants of the East India Company in 1608 and then
again and more successfully in 1612.
Soon lascars - seamen, mainly from Bengal - were helping to man British ships and
despite The Navigation Act of 1660 stating that 75% of the crew of a British ship had
to be British, a number began appearing in London throughout the century.
The first recorded case of an Indian being christened in Britain was bound up with
British commercial adventures in South Asia. The baptism on 22 December 1616 at St
Dionis Backchurch in the City of London, took place in the presence of governors of
the East India Company. Many of the first Asian arrivals in Britain came as servants
to returning East India Company agents.
By 1804 the number of lascars in London was quoted as 471 and yet by 1810 it had
risen to over 1400, around 130 of which would die each year such was the poor
condition of their circumstances. Concern about their plight led to the creation of The
Society for the Protection of Asiatic Sailors in 1814 and in 1869 complaint was
60
made to the India Office in London that there were upwards of 400 destitute Asians
on the streets.
As the influence of the British in India grew, so did the interest in Indian food back in
Britain, leading to the publishing of recipes and the commercial creation of curry
powder in 1780. The first appearance of curry on a menu was at the Coffee House in
Norris Street, Haymarket, London in 1773 but the first establishment dedicated to
Indian cuisine was the Hindostanee Coffee House at 34 George Street, Portman
Square, London in 1809 as recorded in The Epicure’s Almanack(The commemorative
blue plaque, seen below, is actually at 102 George Street and dated 1810, the date the
property was valued for rates). It was opened by Dean Mahomet (or
Mohamed/Mahomed) (see Appendix) from Patna, Bihar, India, via Cork in Ireland.
He appreciated the interest in all things Indian and offered a house "for the Nobility
and Gentry where they might enjoy the Hookha with real Chilm tobacco and Indian
dishes of the highest perfection". Decor was very Colonial, with bamboo chairs and
picture-bedecked walls, and it proved to be well received. As with many 'coffee
houses', however, it did not serve coffee, but was simply cashing in on a popular name
of the time. Unfortunately, outgoings were greater than incomings and Mahomet had
to file for bankruptcy in 1812, although the restaurant did carry on without him in
some form until 1833.
Lascar desertion continued to be a big problem with many ending up on the streets
whilst others became entertainers or sold herbs and spices as did the famous Dr
Bokanby who sold herbs in London’s Petticoat Lane in 1861.
As the twentieth century dawned, the only eating establishments offering Indian
cuisine were specialist venues such as the restaurant at The East India United Services
Club (founded 1866 in St James Square) and community meeting places for those
who had jumped ship in London looking for a new life or, more often, been put ashore
without any means of support. Some of these were Vandary (Indian chefs) who
jumped ship to seek work in London’s growing restaurant community but not enough
to provide any real impetus for the cuisine.
The first recorded Indian restaurant of the twentieth century was the Salut e Hind in
Holborn in 1911 but the first to have any real influence was The Shafi opened by
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Mohammed Wayseem and Mohammed Rahim originally thought to have been
opened in 1920 but new evidence from Roy Nolder(below) shows it was actually in
1915. Coming from North India they opened their cafe in London’s Gerrard Street
(now the centre of London’s Chinatown) and employed four or five ex seamen. It
soon became a kind of community and Indian student centre. Indian students in the
UK rose from 100 in 1880 to 1800 by 1931.
A business card from the 1960s
Soon The Shafi was taken over by Dharam Lal Bodua and run by an English
manager with employees such as Israil Miah and Gofur Miah who were later to run
their own establishments. One of Dharam’s great friends was Vir Bahadur from
Delhi who opened his first restaurant in 1927 Taj Mahal on Charing Cross Road then
others in Argyll Street next to The Palladium and Percy Street and The Koh-i-noor in
Rupert Street (pulled down in 1978) and was to have a major influence on the industry
opening restaurants with his brothers outside London. Following in her mother’s
footsteps, his eldest daughter Kashmirin, became his chef, and met an Indian prince,
Yashwant Singh, Raja of Sumel, son of an official concubine of the Maharajah of
Jaipur in the restaurant. They married in 1938 and lived in the fabulous Rambagh
Palace before moving to Sumel House, Ajmer Road, Jaipur. Yashwant Singh had
promised Vir Bahadur that he would only have one wife, a promise that he kept and
the love match continued until they died within a year of each other some 8 years ago
(approx 2002).
By 1937 Vir Bahadur had changed his name to Krishna Vir (Sanskrit for Bahadur)
and his son Chandra Vir, now resident in Toronto, Canada, remembers “As a child
after the war, I remember that the restaurant had queues of customers and my father
had to hire a doorman, all decked out in a uniform and turban.” Chandra managed the
restaurant for a few years in the 1960s.
Ayub Ali Master opened a Curry cafe in Commercial Road, London in 1920s and
then Shah Jalal Coffee House at 76 Commecial Street. He also later, started the Indian
Seaman's Welfare league in 1943 and his coffee shop was often the first port of call
for seamen seeking guidance.
62
These restaurants were, not surprisingly, mainly for Asians but in 1926/7 the first
fashionable Indian restaurant opened when Edward Palmer opened Veeraswamy’s
Indian Restaurant in London’s Regent Street where it still thrives today owned by
Ranjit Mathrani and Namita Panjabi. Edward Palmer had been greatly encouraged
by friends and acquaintances after his successful running of the Mughal Palace in The
Empire Exhibition at Wembley a few years before and he brought staff from India and
created a traditional atmosphere such that it became called “The ex-Indian higher
serviceman’s curry club”. Many of the people from all over India who were later to
become the backbone of the new ‘curry’ restaurant industry, learned their trade at The
Veeraswamy. In 1935 Veeraswamy's was sold to Sir William Steward, M.P., who ran
the restaurant for 40 years. He travelled the world in order to source produce and was
dubbed 'the curry king' by The Times. His other claim to fame is the introduction of
curry in a can. It was at Veeraswamy that lager is first said to have been introduced
into Indian restaurants during a visit by the Prince of Denmark.
Queen Victoria, shortly after the Prince Consort's death, arranged for her son to marry
Princess Alexandra of Denmark, the beautiful eldest daughter of King Christian IX of
Denmark.
The couple wed at St. George's Chapel, Windsor on 10 March 1863. The Princess
became Queen of England until her death in 1925. Prince Axel of Denmark first met
Edward Palmer when visiting the Empire Exhibition at Wembley on May 2nd 1924.
Palmer ran the fantastic Mughal Pavilion at this early 'Disneyland' venture and the
King and Queen of Denmark also visited on 24th and 27th June. Having heard of the
opening of Veeraswamy's, the Prince visited and was enchanted so much that he made
a present of a case of the royal beer, Carlsberg and gave orders for a case to be
delivered each year. Many staff learned their trade at Veeraswamy's at that time so
Carlsberg became the beer of choice as they moved around Britain opening their own
establishments.
The name of the restaurant was later changed to The Veeraswamy during ownership
by Sarova Hotels and to Veeraswamy under the present ownership.
Meanwhile Sardar and Shamsher Bahadur had come from India to join their
brother and opened The Taj Mahal, Brighton; Taj Mahal, Oxford; Taj Mahal
Northampton; Kohinoor, Cambridge; Kohinoor, Manchester all before the outbreak
of the Second World War and mainly staffed by ex-seamen.
Other establishments for the seamen, usually from the province of Sylhet, opened
throughout the years between the wars, such as Abdul Rashim and Koni Khan’s
coffee shop serving curry and rice on Victoria Dock Road as early as 1920.
Gradually the development of Indian restaurants spread outwards from London
between the two Great Wars and many of the restaurants that have influenced those
established today were created.
Amongst those in London pre 1939 were The Durbar on Percy Street owned by
Asuk Mukerjee from Calcutta, and his compatriot from the same city Nogandro
Goush who owned The Dilkush in Windmill Street. Asif Khan from Punjab had The
63
Shalimar on Wardour Street and Jobbul Haque of Urrishi owned The Bengal India
on Percy Street.
Abdul Gofur opened a cafe shop at 120 Brick Lane as well as others in New Road
and Commercial Road. Shirref’s in Great Castle Street opened in 1935 and Halal,
which still thrives today, opened in St Marks Street E1 in 1939.
64
Such was the influence of the Bahadur family that it was estimated that nearly all first
generation East Pakistani, or what was to become Bangladeshi, restaurateurs learned
their trade from the Bahadur brothers.
The early Indian restaurants had access to only a limited number of spices and oils.
This led to a standard British curry flavour which became the basic taste. For Madras
chicken curry there was more cayenne ; for Malaysian chicken curry, one added
pineapple. Bhuna gosht was a dry lamb dish, rogan gosht had onions and tomato on
top. Pulao was rice stir fried with a basic curry, biryani was a pulao with raisins, fried
onions and egg on top!
Many cafes opened up around the seaports of Britain by ex seamen but they had great
difficulty in obtaining the necessary rice and spices. During the Second World War
the social focus shifted to The Gathor, a basement cafe at 36 Percy Street, London
but soon after, Sanu Miah opened The Green Mask on Brompton Road, which
became a centre for prominent East Pakistani’s and their politicians.
Also in 1942-3 Mosrof Ali and Israil Miah opened The Anglo Asian at 146
Brompton Road, London and by 1957 Mosrof Ali also had The Durbar in Hereford
Road. His last business was The Curry Garden Indian in 1975 before retiring in
1979.
The 1950s saw a great influx of Punjabis in the Southall area due to the specialised
employment policy of Woolf’s Rubber Factory whose executive had personal
experience of the excellence of Punjabi staff, and Bengalis continued to settle around
the Tower Hamlets area.
Some of the restaurants that opened in the 50s & 60s are
Ambala, Brick Lane E1
- 1965
Ambala, Gerrard Street
- 1965
Dilchad, Widegate Street E1
- 1962
Sweet & Spicy, Brick Lane E1
- 1969
Jomuna, Wilton Road SW1
- 1969
Tandoori of Chelsea, Fulham Rd SW3
- 1965
Maharani, Clapham High Street, SW4
- 1965
Noorjahan, Bina Gardens, SW5
- 1965
Star of India, Old Brompton Road, SW5
- 1954
Moti Mahal, Glendower Place, SW7
- 1956
Sonargaon, Brixton Road, SW9
- 1966
Nazims, Garratt Lane, SW18
- 1966
Agra, Whitfield Street, W1
- 1954
Amjadia, Picton Place, W1
- 1968
Anwars, Grafton Way, W1
- 1962
Gaylord, Mortimer Street, W1
- 1966
Everest, Craven Road, W2
- 1961
Ganges, Praed Street, W2
- 1965
65
Akash, Irving Street, WC2
- 1958
Punjab, Neal Street, WC2
- 1947
The India Club, The Strand, WC2
- 1950
Bombay, Oxford
- 1955
Until 1962 members of the Commonwealth were allowed to enter Britain freely but
even thereafter many Asians came from Africa and a bigger group came from Kenya
in 1968.
The fifties and sixties saw a rapid growth in Indian restaurant numbers in Britain,
especially in London and the South East, where over 45% of Indian restaurants are
still located.
Gradually the Indian restaurant concept spread all over Britain, even though those
running the restaurants were often not Indian at all. Until Bangladeshi Independence
in 1971 at least three quarters of ‘Indian’ restaurants in Britain were Pakistani owned.
After 1971, the geographical differences became clear, with over half the restaurants
owned and managed by Bangladeshis, most of who were from the one area of Sylhet.
Once you reach Birmingham, however, the situation changes with the number of
Bangladeshis decreasing and Pakistanis increasing. By the time you reach Bradford
and Manchester, the restaurateurs are almost entirely Pakistani , Kashmiri and North
Indian and once you reach Glasgow the concentration is almost entirly Punjabi as it is
in the Southall, Wembley region of London.
In Birmingham, Abdul Aziz opened a cafe shop selling curry and rice in Steelhouse
Lane in 1945 which became The Darjeeling, the first Indian in Birmingham, owned
by Afrose Miah although some say it was The Shah Bag on Bristol Street owned by
Abul Kalam Nozmul Islam who also owned Anuh Bag. The growth really got
underway in the 1950’s. The Aloka, originally called The Curry House, opened on
Bristol Street in 1960 and Banu on Hagley Road in 1969.
Manchester started with the Bahadur brother’s Kohinoor in Oxford Street, followed
by Malik Bokth with The Everest, Nojir Uddin who opened Monzil and Lal Miah
who opened The Orient. The first restaurant to in Rusholme, the location of
Manchester’s modern day Curry Mile, opened in 1959. Rajdoot, long a favourite in
Manchester, opened in 1966. Malik Miah Guri, manager at The Kohinoor, moved
to Birmingham and opened The Shalimar at Dale End.
In Bradford, The Sweet Centre on Lumb Lane which opened in 1964 was one of the
earliest after The Kashmir in Morley Street in 1958. When the owner of The Shafi in
London, Mr Dharan died in 1963, Ahmed Kutub, who worked there, went to open
his own restaurant in Newcastle and in the 1950s Rashid Ali moved from a cafe shop
in London’s Drummond Street to Cardiff to open his own establishment. The first
restaurant to open in the north was The Anglo Asian on Ocean Road, South Shields
run by Syed Lukman Ali.
66
North of the border, the first record is of a restaurant opened in Glasgow by Dr Deb
from Nawakhali before 1939 and since that time the management staff in most
existing restaurants seem to have developed from just two original Punjabi style
establishments giving rise to a great similarity of menu.
According to other pundits, however, the first modern curry shop opened in the city in
1954, although there had been cafes for seamen and others of Asian origin before this.
The Taj Mahal was opened in Park Road by Sultan Ahmed Ansari. The great man
died in 1995, having triggered the mushrooming effect that has created the Glasgow
curry scene of today - that is unless you listen to the other stories that say the first was
Green Gates in Bank Street in 1959!!
Whichever is correct, it was a time when you could have a feast for just over 3
shillings (15p today). The credentials of the Taj Mahal are confirmed by Ansari's
daughter, Noreen, who remembers going to the restaurant after school. For his part,
Nasim Ahmed, whose father Noor Mohammed started Green Gates and then went on
to found the Shish Mahal dynasty, remembers 2 shilling (10p) curries and being
pressed into service as a waiter and kitchen porter.
Menus were basic and people would set their own cutlery to encourage speedier
service. Then the Shish Mahal opened in Gibson Street offering a very different
scene, with dinner-jacketed waiters and flock wallpaper, soon to be followed by the
Koh-i-Noor, opened by their cousin, Rasul Tahir. Unfortunately, once the curry
centre of Glasgow, the influence of Gibson Street is no more. The Koh-i-Noor moved
to its present incarnation in Charing Cross and the Shish Mahal to the premises that
were originally occupied by Taj Mahal, Ansari having sold out after 30 years to move
into the hotel business.
The cuisine moved up-market again with the Indian (as opposed to Pakistani)
influence of Balbir Sumal's Ashoka in the 1980s, which eventually led to the
development of The Harlequin Group by his one-time partner, Charan Gill.
Although Glasgow celebrated 50 years of curry history in 2004, before they get
carried away - would it be too impolitic to point out that Kushi's was opened in
Edinburgh in 1947 by Kushi Mohammed from the Indus Valley - so which city was
first, after all?
In the sixties and seventies, owners began to make serious monies from the industry,
with people such as Rajiv Ali, who became Chairman of the South East Bank in
Bangladesh having found his fortune with a curry house on Whitechapel Road E1.
Haji Abdul Razzah came to Britain with an early wave of immigrants and lived in
Kentish Town in 1960. He returned to Bangladesh in 1985 and opened The Polash
Hotel in Sylhet having made his fortune from ‘chicken tikka masala’.
The three main influences on the growth of Indian restaurants were firstly the growing
affluence and cosmopolitan nature of the British public and secondly the introduction
of the tandoor in the sixties.
The tandoor came, originally from the Middle East with the name deriving from the
Babylonian word ‘tinuru’ meaning fire. Hebrew and Arabic then made it tannur then
tandur in Turkey, Central Asia and, finally Pakistan and India, who made it famous
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worldwide. The first tandoor in India in a restaurant is said to have been in the
Kashmiri Moti Mahal in New Delhi in 1948 and several restaurants have claimed to
be the first to have a tandoor in Britain. Initial research suggested the man responsible
was, in fact, Mahendra Kaul who started the excellent Gaylord group and it was The
Gaylord in Mortimer Street who advertised it in a Palladium Theatre programme in
1966. Mr Kaul had taken the tandoor to America for the Worlds Fair in 1964 then
loaned it and his staff to a restaurant in Whitfield Street, London that no longer exists,
before starting the Gaylord. He is still a partner in Chor Bizarre in London making
him one of the most experienced people still working in the industry. Roy Nolder, at
the time employed by AA, remembers The Kwality in Whitfield Street also offering
tandoori dishes in 1966.
Recently viewed archived documents at Veeraswamy indicate, however, a tandoor in
use much earlier, in 1959 and so, this famous restaurant seems to have been
responsible for the earliest introduction of tandoori style dishes to the UK, although it
would be some ten years and more before the tandoor became widely used in Britain.
If you had visited Veerawamy's, as it was then called, in December 1959, you could
have enjoyed Chicken Tandoori (allow 15-20 minutes) for the princely sum of ten
shillings and sixpence. The first evidence of a tandoor in Glasgow is not until 1978
but may have been some years earlier.
The other major influence was the continued growth of immigration to provide the
people to staff the growing number of Indian restaurants. 360,000 Bangladeshis are
forecast for the year 2050.
In 1960 there were just 500 Indian restaurants in Britain but by 1970 this had grown
to 1200. With the influx after Bangladesh Independence numbers grew rapidly to
3000 in 1980 and by 2000 there were almost 8000 Indian restaurants in Britain
turning over more than £2 billion a year employing some 70,000 people as one of the
major industries in the country. By 2008 numbers had exceeded 9000 with a turnover
approaching £3.5bn. Chicken Tikka Masala, a British-Bangladeshi creation predating
the relatively short-lived balti craze, has become so popular that it is available in a
wide variety of forms ranging from crisps to pies and statistics show that 14.6% of all
first choices in restaurants are for the dish which has no real recipe and can vary from
hot to creamy and red to green.
Chicken Tikka Masala by Chef Manzoor Ahmed
68
CTM of the Year 2002 as voted in the Best in Britain Awards (BIBA)
Ingredients :
1lb large diced boneles chicken breast : 1 oz garlic : 1 oz ginger
4 tbs fresh natural yoghurt : 2 small fresh green chillies : 1 tsp salt
1 tbs lemon juice : 1 tsp coriander powder ; 1 tsp cumin powder : 1 tbs red paprika
4-5 fresh green coriander
Method :
Take marinated chicken and cook on skewers in tandoor or 10-12 minutes under a grill on a
moderate high heat. Fry onions in the ghee
Add tomatoes and yoghurt and mix on low/moderate heat. Add cumin powder, chilli powder,
coriander powder, salt, desicated coconut, dried methi and fresh single cream and mix
thoroughly. Water may be added if more liquid is required. Add cooked pieces or chicken to the
sauce and mix well. Leave to simmer on low heat. Transfer to serving dish garnish with a little
single cream and sprinkle liberally with fresh coriander and garam masala.
(Serves 4)
Sauce :
4 oz chopped onions : 3 oz ghee : 1 oz ground garlic : 1 oz ground ginger
3 oz yoghurt : 1/2 tsp cumin powder : 2 tbs desicated coconut : 4 oz fresh single cream : 2
medium tomatoes (liquidised) : 1.2 tsp salt : 1/2 tsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp coriander powder : pinch dried methi.
Method :
Grind fresh green chilies, fresh coriander, garlic and ginger with 2-3 tbs water until a thick paste
is formed. Marinate the chicken in the paste then add the salt and yoghurt. Next add the lemon
juice, cumin, coriander powder and red paprika and mix thoroughly. Leave chicken to marinate
in the paste overnight
The first to claim CTM’s invention are descendents of Sultan Ahmed Ansari who
owned The Taj Mahal in Glasgow in 1950’s but it is also claimed by Ali Ahmed
Aslam who took over the restaurant from him and called it Shish Mahal circa 1970.
Sheikh Abdul Khalique from Essex also claimed the creation of CTM as it was
nicknamed for the first time by Colleen Grove in Spice-n-Easy Magazine in 1994, as
have half a dozen other chefs and, according to folklore, it came about when gravy
loving Brits wanted a sauce with their Chicken Tikka and Condensed Tomato Soup
with added spices was used on the spur of the moment in a flash of commercially
motivated creation (see Appendix on 'The Chicken Tikka Masala Story') .
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In 1982, Taj International Hotels flew in the face of advice and opened The Bombay
Brasserie in Courtfield Road SW7 under Adi Modi and changed the entire Indian
restaurant scene by setting a new benchmark for quality.
Many of the previous owners and chefs had learned their trade ‘hands on’ but now a
new class of chef was to appear backed by years of training in Taj and Oberoi
management colleges in India. Soon London boasted several top class establishments
such as Namita Panjabi’s Chutney Mary, Amin Ali’s The Red Fort, Tamarind, La
Port des Indes, Cafe Lazeez, Cyrus Todiwala’s Cafe Spice Namaste, Chor Bizarre,
Andy Varma’s Vama and more recently, Rasoi Vineet Bhatia, Amaya, Zaika,
Benares and Quilon. Enam Ali of Le Raj was one of the early pace setters for
Bangaldeshi restaurants as well as being one of the founder members of The Guild of
Bangladeshi Restaurateurs, created to serve the community alongside the Bangladesh
Caterers Association, first started in 1960. He also started the very successful British
Curry Awards in 2005.
In 1984 Pat Chapman created The Curry Club and Good Curry Guide to publicise the
cuisine and bring pressure to bear on supermarkets to stock both ingredients and
chilled/frozen meals and was followed by the first edition of our own Real Curry
Restaurant Guide in 1988/9 which covered over 6000 Indian restaurants followed by
the Best in Britain Awards (BIBA) and National Curry Week.
Entrepreneurs such as Kirit and Meena Pathak of Pataks, G.K. Noon of Noon
Products and Perween Warsi of S&A Foods identified the gaps in the retail market
accompanied by rice brands Tilda, Veetee and Westmill and Indian lagers
Kingfisher, Cobra and Lal Toofan, such that the Indian sector has for some years
been seen as one of the fastest growing food and drink sectors in Britain.
More chapters of the story are yet to unfold as the cuisine moves upmarket,
establishments become ever more refined, chefs become more adventurous and
demand continues to grow.
Chinese
The first wave of Chinese immigrants, who arrived in the second half of the 19th
Century, came after China’s defeat in the Opium Wars and, as with the lascars, were
mainly seamen. They jumped ship in Britain and settled in the port cities of Liverpool,
Cardiff and London and as the new century dawned, the movement away from the
docks to the cities into first laundries then catering began. The earliest arrivals were
often associated with the East India Company and settled in the East End of London
in general and Limehouse in particular by 1880’s. The Chinese from Shanghai settled
around Pennyfields, Amoy Place and Ming Street in Poplar whilst those from Canton
and Southern China gravitated towards Gill Street and Limehouse Causeway.
By 1913 there were thirty shops and cafes for Chinese people in Pennyfield and
Limehouse Causeway although this ‘mini boom’ was to decline rapidly by the 1930’s
as shipping slumped.
After World War Two, the thousands of sailors taken on for the duration were laid off
and repatriated to China. Some contrived to stay in the UK, by whatever means. There
70
was also a small community of diplomatic and business exiles who preferred not to go
back to China after the Communist Party came to power in 1949.
But the turmoil in China caused by war stimulated a much larger wave of migration
from Hong Kong and the New Territories. The 1951 census recorded 12,523 Chinese
people in the UK, a figure which rose to 38,750 in 1961 and just over 96,000 in 1971.
By the 1950’s the Chinese community began to focus on Soho in London for the
theatre trade and when diplomatic relations standardised in 1950, several Mandarin
speaking former diplomats opened Peking-style restaurants. The famous Kenneth Lo,
whose grandfather was a Chinese Ambassador to London and knighted by Queen
Victoria, became one such, starting as a low level diplomat and opening three top
class restaurants after writing numerous Chinese cookery books.
This movement continued and by the 1960’s Soho had become London’s Chinatown
and the flow outward to the suburbs and elsewhere started where costs were much
cheaper. The first Chinese restaurant in London was opened (probably in 1907) by
Charlie Cheung in Limehouse in the East End but, more importantly, a year later, by
Chung Koon, a former ship’s chef on the Red Funnel Line who had settled in London
and married an English girl. He opened the very smart Maxim’s in Soho in 1908
which served Cantonese food of which the favourite dish was 'jarjow', pork in a sweet
and sour sauce. Soon after, he opened The Cathay in Glasshouse Street which
eventually became a Japanese establishment in 1996 which Koon would have hated.
By the 1930s there were three Chinese restaurants operating in Soho catering for the
West End theatre crowds. A few years later Choys opened and still operates
restaurants in Kings Road, Chelsea and London SW19.
In Manchester, the first Chinese restaurant to open was Ping Hong in Moseley Street
in 1948 only to close a couple of years later, the first in Sheffield The Rickshaw
around 1957 followed by Zing Va in 1959 and the first in Huddersfield was the Rice
Bowl in 1957. The first vessel to arrive in Liverpool from China was in 1834 so it is
not surprising that there were at least five restaurants opened in Pitt Street soon after
the First World War.
However, there were fewer than 5000 Chinese in Britain up until the War and it was
not until after the Second World War that Chinese food gained any real popularity
fostered by American servicemen taking English girls to The Cathay supported by
returning British servicemen with a taste for Oriental food acquired during overseas
postings. It is said that even General de Gaulle had to seek out The Cathay to get
away from an Anglo-Saxon diet.
Chung Koon’s son John was born in 1926 and took over The Cathay in 1957. He
opened the first real up-market Chinese restaurant, Lotus House in 1958. Such was
the demand for his food that John Koon then did the un-heard of and launched the
first ever Chinese takeaway in London’s Queensway and followed it up according to
legend, by convincing Billy Butlin to open a Chinese kitchen in every Butlins Holiday
Camp with a simple menu of Chicken Chop Suey and Chips. The Chinese quickly
adopted the takeaway principle as well as the British love for fish and chips and soon
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most small villages and towns had their Chinese takeaway which doubled as a fish
and chip shop.
Britain had no history of colonial contact in China and Japan except for Hong Kong,
so much of the post war influence was from America until the Commonwealth
Immigration Act in 1962 introduced the ‘voucher system’. The breakthrough came in
1951 when the British government finally recognised Mao's communist regime
leaving the diplomats of the defunct Nationalist government with a dilemma. They
could not return to China but also needed new jobs and catering was a way out Embassy kitchens had chefs and the diplomats were resourceful.
The boom in demand in Britain for dining out was fuelled by the new-found consumer
wealth in the Middle Class and coincided with a post war boom in Chinese
immigration rising to 38,750 by 1961. Chinese food spread all over Britain until today
there are over 7600 outlets turning over some £2 billion a year and the Chinese
population has grown to 157,000.
It wasn't until the late 1950s and the arrival of the Hong Kong Emporium on
London's Rupert Street that better ingredients became available in Britain. In 1963 the
now communist Chinese Embassy once again gave the business a boost when a group
of Chinese restaurateurs managed to convince the ambassador's chef, a Mr Kuo from
Beijing, to defect. They set him up with his own restaurant, the Kuo Yuan in North
West London, and it soon became a huge hit, not least because he was serving the first
Pekinese dishes Britain had ever seen, including Peking Duck.
In the south, Choy’s in Kings Road, London SW3 was one of the pioneers, opening in
1937 and Old Friends in Commercial Road, E14 opened in the 1950’s followed by
Good Friends in Salmon Lane E14 in 1962 and Young Friends E14 in the late
1960’s. Poon & Co in WC2 also opened in the late 1960’s and Empire Palace in
Chelmsford in Essex dates back to 1963.
In 1968, a hair salon designer called Michael Chow opened Mr Chow in
Knightsbridge, soon frequented by the likes of Mick Jagger, Marlene Dietrich and the
Beatles, and Chinese food was finally established as a staple of British life.
In the Midlands and North, The New Happy Gathering in Station Street was the first
Cantonese to open in Birmingham in 1970 and Ping On in Deanhaugh Street is the
oldest Chinese restaurant in Edinburgh followed by The Rendezvous in 1956.
There could have been a new surge of immigration from Hong Kong in 1997 when it
was handed back to China, with 50,000 families being entitled to move to Britain but
the influx was minimal, although a considerable flow of investment funds was
evident.
Today there is a huge range of Chinese restaurants for the public to enjoy from the
simple Hong Kong style that has been successful for so many years, to Soho’s oldest
restaurant. Christine Yau’s Yming and the smart, modern restaurants opening in
Britain’s cities such as Kai in London’s Mayfair.
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Each major city has its Chinatown, particularly London, Glasgow and Manchester,
where people flock to enjoy Peking, Cantonese, Szechuan, Hunan and even Fukien
food in quite often huge establishments with massive menus. In the restaurant sector
growth is somewhat static as we move further into the third millennium, after poor
publicity over MSG and lack of innovation within the industry due to its tie in with
fish and chips and cheap takeaway but in the retail sector demand continues to grow
apace and 'all you can eat' Chinese buffet sector continues to be very popular.
Thai
There were only some 5,000 Thai people in Britain in 1996 so it is not surprising that
the cuisine has not swamped the market despite is rapid growth in popularity. One of
the main reasons for growth in interest in Thai cuisine has been the growing numbers
of British tourists going to Thailand which grew to 102,209 in 1986 and further to
300,000 by 1996.
The first Thai restaurant in London was The Bangkok in Bute Street SW7 which
opened in 1967 followed by The Siam in St Albans Grove off Kensington High Street
in 1970 and the owner Mudita Karnasuta, then opened Busabong in Fulham Road
and Loy Krathong in Newcastle plus Thai Orchid in Northumberland, all since sold.
Her daughter and an important figure in the Thai community, Mini ChutrakulGosling then opened Busabong Too and Busabong Tree alongside the River
Thames and sold the former to her mother who opened The Hamilton Arms in 1991.
S&P Thai followed in Fulham Road in 1973 but the real boom came in the eighties.
Saigon in Frith Street W1 opened in 1984 and the benchmark for quality and success
came with the opening of The Blue Elephant in Fulham Broadway SW5 in 1986.
Mantanah Thai opened in SE25 in 1988 as did Tamnag Thai on West Hill SE19
followed by Sang Thai in Glentworth Street NW1 in 1989.
Today there are over 600 Thai restaurants throughout Britain and numbers are
growing healthily, especially in public houses, which have been quick to recognise the
attractions of the simple, healthy cuisine. Thai restaurants such as Blue Elephant and
Yum Yum Thai in Stoke Newington are now considered amongst the top restaurants
in London showing how far the cuisine has come in just over thirty years.
Other Oriental
Japanese presence in Britain dates from after the Second World War and there has
been very little demand for Japanese cuisine by other than the Japanese community
and tourists until the last decade of the twentieth century. Many Japanese people who
now live in London came in the 1980s as Japanese companies spread into Europe. But
there have been Japanese people living in Britain since the 1860s following the Meiji
Restoration and the reopening of Japan's borders. The first recorded Japanese visitors
to Britain were sailors, arriving in 1614 and perhaps even earlier in 1587.
Today over 55,000 Japanese people live in London
The first Japanese restaurant to open was in 1967 when Akiko Kuzusaka founded
Hiroko in London. The Ajimura in Shelton Street WC2 and Tsukuba WC2
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followed in 1972, Kiku in Mayfair in 1978 and Ikeda also in Mayfair in 1978 and
Mitsukoshi in Lower Regent Street in 1985 and the first Benihana at Swiss Cottage
in 1986 and even forty years later there are still only 300 or so. The 1991 Census
showed there to be just 25,000 Japanese in Britain and most of these live around
London giving rise to a figure of 83% of Japanese restaurants being located in London
and the South East.
Interest in Japanese food has grown considerably in the last fifteen years bringing the
appearance of new restaurants in other cities around Britain but the numbers are likely
to remain small. Sushi and Ramen (noodle) Bars are the latest trend to appear with the
first Wagamama noodle bar opening in 1992.
Malaysian/Indonesian cuisine has been available in London for well over thirty
years but, once again the numbers are very small - some 100 outlets, 71% of which
are in London - based on a population of just 10,000. Satay House first opened in
London in 1973 and Melati in Peter Street W1 in 1979. Raffles in Kenilworth claims
to be one of the first Colonial Malaysian restaurants in Britain, but with the recent
openings of such up-market restaurants as Awana in London and Suka in Berners
Street, Malaysian cuisine is on the move.
Vietnamese cuisine is a relative newcomer to Britain and was boosted by the 20,000
refugees from Vietnam after the fall of Saigon in 1975 and the US troop withdrawal.
The population has settled down to around 14,000 now, 54% of whom live in London
and 77% of the 30 restaurants are in London and the South East. The earliest
restaurants were simple affairs but the range now goes from the basic to up-market
establishments such as Saigon Saigon in Hammersmith. Thanh Binh in North
London boasts of having the same chef since 1990 and Pho opened in Clerkenwell in
June 2005 as London's first Vietnamese street food restaurant to offer yet another
dimension.
Korean restaurants have blossomed in the past ten years or so due to the presence of a
considerable Korean community working in Britain, mainly in the electronics and
computer-allied industries. Since immigration restrictions were relaxed in 1989, the
British Korean population has grown rapidly to around 30,000, and most of them some say as many as 20,000 - live in New Malden. Ran opened in Soho in 1987 and
Kaya in Mayfair in 1983. There are presently 40 Korean restaurants in Britain but
almost all of these (91%) are in London and the South East. New Malden just outside
London was the first settling place for the Korean community and several restaurants
appeared from 1991 onwards to service it including the very popular Asadal owned
by the Park family, which then made the transformation to central London in Holborn.
Italian
The Italian community in London dates back to the eighteenth century. These were
mainly educated political refugees and settled around Clerkenwell and Holborn in
London. The first restaurant we know of was run by Joseph Moretti who was born in
Venice in 1773. He ran an 'Italian Eating House, just off Leicester Square from 18031805 according to his great grandson Colin. Moretti and married Jane Bargmann in
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1799 John Baptiste Pagliano mariied Sarah Bargmann in 1798. Pagliano, born in
Piedmont in 1764, established an hotel in St Martins Street called Newton's (1799)
and later owned The Sabloniere in Leicester Suare which was renowned for its
catering. The family continued to run it until 1845. Pagliano originally came to
England in 1774 where he was employed as a cook to the Venetian Ambassador. By
1881 there were 3500 Italians in London and by 1901 the number had risen
dramatically to 11,000.
Excerpt from Epicures Almanack (1815) pp 152-155 (courtesy of Colin Moretti)
Pagliano's
A few doors from Brunet’s Hotel, there is a large establishment rendered conspicuous
by the following label in staring capitals, SABLONIÈRE, which inscription is an
obvious absurdity. La Sablonière is the name of the once famous cook in Paris, whose
performances on the spit, gridiron, and kitchen dresser, were so much admired, that
his rivals and followers, by way of obtaining a share of his custom, used to announce
that they gave dinners à la Sablonière. Such was the announcement here! but some
John Bull of a house-painter retrenched the article at the expense of propriety, and
for the sake of brevity. This house is now kept by Signor Pagliano, who is himself,
perhaps as good a cook as the noted La Sablonière. Make the experiment, and you
will at all events find his establishment the most excellent and reasonable house for
getting a good dinner either in the French, English, or Italian style. Mr Pagliano has
another and a cheaper house near at hand in St Martins Street which house was the
very identical residence of our great Sir Isaac Newton. His observatory is still to be
seen on the roof.
One of our coadjutors, by way of experiment – did penance here (as the Spaniards say
when they make a feast of a dinner) by bill of fare, at the following moderate expense.
It is one of the heaviest charges made against John Bull that when he intends to fare
well, he cannot help crying out “roast beef”. We caution him, that when at this or any
other house, he sees announced in the bill of fare, a stewed lion, or a roasted owl, he
do hold his tongue, preserve every muscle in his jolly countenance undistorted, lift not
for his bushy eye-brows, but quietly order up some of the lion or owl. He will find
either dish excellent fare; the one is like hare and the other like partridge as gold is
like to gold. But he must not say aught for or against the game-lairs or poachers; he
must use his teeth and hold his tongue; he must not say as Pistol1 did, and as he
sometimes used to do, when bad news annoyed him, “eat; and eat; and swear”.
Pizza
The Italian-American Historical Society once stated that pizza was brought back to
Rome by legionnaires stationed in Palestine in the first century B.C. The soldiers had
grown tired of the local, unleavened bread and spiced it up with cheese and olive oil.
So goes the argument that pizza's true ancestor is the matzoh.
The world's first pizzeria was the Port'Alba, which opened in Naples in 1830. It
cooked its pizzas in an oven lined with Vesuvian lava. The Port'Alba became a haunt
for artists and writers, and the poet Salvatore di Giacomo wrote several poems about
pizza from one of its tables.
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The restaurant now called the Antica Pizzeria Brandi, just off the trendy Via Chiaia,
was founded in 1780 by Pietro Colicchio, who had neither sons nor daughters, so he
left it to Enrico Brandi, who left it to Maria Brandi, who married Rafaele Esposito,
who sold it to Vincenzo Pagnani, who turned it over to his son, Eduardo Pagnani. ; it
was here that pizza got its modern look in 1889 when a treat was prepared for Queen
Margherita and taken to the nearby royal palace. It was also the first known pizza
delivery. To give the pizza a patriotic appearance, Rafaele Esposito used the colours
of the new Italian flag: tomato sauce for the red; basil for the green; and for the white,
a key ingredient - mozzarella di bufala. The Queen loved the pizza, and an
international delicacy was born.
Even as Rafaele Esposito was concocting a pizza fit for a queen, his countrymen were
flocking to America, and they took pizza with them. In 1905, Gennaro Lombardi
opened the first American pizzeria at 531/2 Spring St. in New York. But pizza was
considered foreign food and could be found only in Italian neighborhoods.
When World War II sent great waves of Americans to Italy, GIs with names such as
Kelly and Schwartz got their first taste of pizza. It was love at first bite, and, when
they returned, pizza became a national obsession.
Immigration
Although most Italian immigrants at this time were not catering orientated, there was
obviously an interest in Italian cuisine as several entries were noted in PO London
Directory in 1851 including Charles Gatti Pastrycook, Luigi Previtali, Italian Hotel,
15 Arundel Street, V Guardetti, Secretary Italian Club of the Culinary Art in St
Martins Street. Bertolini's at 32 St Martins Lane is noted in Cruchlys London 1865
and Solferino at 7 Rupert Street in Routledge's Popular Guide 1873.
One of the early Italian connections with catering came when Swiss Italian Carlo
Gatti started selling ice cream in London in 1850. His product rapidly became famous
and he died a millionaire in 1870. Over one hundred years later the frozen ice cream
industry is worth over £2.6 billion a year. Pursuing the catering connection Terroni &
Son opened in Clerkenwell Road in 1890 and G. Gazzano & Son in Farringdon Road
in 1901.
45 Dean Street Soho had been a restaurant since 1880 but the building is perhaps most
famously remembered as Gennaro’s. Here such luminaries as the Kings of Greece,
Yugoslavia and Siam dined alongside Caruso and Dame Nellie Melba. Up until his
death Gennaro would greet his guests at the door to present each female diner with a
red rose. With Gennaro’s death, though it remained an Italian restaurant, 45 Dean
Street fell in to disrepair, and there was little proof of its glamorous past when The
Groucho Club purchased the site in 1984.
An early cafe restaurant, which doubled as a delicatessen, was Salvo Jure which
opened in Brushfield Street E1 in 1859 near the Spitalfield Market. From the 1890’s
onwards a new grouping of Italian immigrants began to settle around Soho in London
following the hotel and restaurant trades. The Italian Society of Mutual Aid for
Hotel and Restaurant Employees was actually set up in 1886 in Gerrard Street, now
centre of London’s Chinatown. Many of these new immigrants worked in London’s
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restaurants and then started their own restaurant as did the four Bertorelli brothers
who created Bertorelli’s in Charlotte Street in 1912.
The Contis, Rossis, Sidolis, Basinis, Gazzis, Servinis and so on come from the
plains of northern Emilia-Romagna. Much of the Italian population of south Wales
and elsewhere in UK hales from Bardi in Emilia-Romagna over a century ago, having
forsaken their poverty-stricken homeland for Britain's 'gold-lined' streets The Bernis
(later famous for Berni Inns), the Rabaiottis, the Sidolis and the Bracchis as well.
Indeed, 'bracchi' is still a generic name in Wales for a café.
By 1911 there were 12,000 Italians in London which had fallen to 11,000 by 1921
after the First World War. Gradually Italian restaurants became fashionable such as
Leoni’s Quo Vadis in Dean Street, Bertorelli’s and Quaglino’s. In 1934 Pizza
Paradiso opened in Store Street WC1 followed by Ristorante Italiano in Curzon
Street W1 in 1936.
The Second World War was a major setback for the industry as Britain went to war
with Germany and Italy. The Second World War proved a tricky time for the UK's
Italian community. Churchill's instruction to imprison every Italian male between the
ages of 16 and 70 as an enemy alien ("Collar the lot!" he famously said, after
Mussolini joined forces with Hitler in June 1940) created general panic and
considerable antipathy. By 1951 there were still only 10,000 Italians in London.
Gradually they became accepted as part of London’s cosmopolitan life again and
Italian restaurants boomed, pushing out of London all over Britain.
By 1971 there were 30,000 Italians in London and many more thousands all over the
country, most of whom were still involved in the catering industry. By 1998 there
were some 5000 Italian restaurants in Britain, 2900 of which were pasta or pizza
establishments and the balance full service restaurants with an annual turnover
approaching £1 billion. The pasta market alone in 1997 was worth £571 million and
major chains have grown up such as Pizza Hut, Bella Pasta and, more recently,
ASK, Its and Est Est Est and there is every sign that growth will continue fuelled by
Spanish and Portuguese moving into what they see as a profitable sector.
Some Italian restaurants to respond to the boom in the British
middle class in the sixties & seventies
La Fontana, London SW1
- 1964
Verbanella, London SW3
- 1966
Verbanella, London W1
- 1962
Paradiso e Inferno, London WC2
- 1966
Conca D’Oro, London WC1
- 1964
Mario e Franco’s Tiberia, Queen Street
- 1962
Concordia, London W2
- 1970
La Lupa, London W2
- 1967
Da Pappino, Windsor
- 1962
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Da Renato, Bristol
- 1971
Casa Italia, Southport
- 1978
Casalingo, Brighton
- 1972
Ristorante Roma, Newcastle
- 1965
Da Corrado, Shirley, Birmingham
- 1965
Pizzeria Giovanni, Sheffield
- 1973
Poldino’s, Aberdeen
- 1977
Caprice, Edinburgh
- 1967
*
Charlotte Street W1 is the site of the original Bertorelli's founded over 90
years ago (1912) by the Bertorelli family
*
The Spaghetti House first opened in 1955 in London
*
First San Rocco restaurant opened in 1971 in Manchester
Birmingham's oldest Italian is La Galleria, which opened in 1977
*
Newcastle-upon-Tyne's first Italian opened in 1965. Pasqualino Fulgenzi is
still at the helm at the Roma, in Collingwood Street
*
Salvos in Leeds opened 1976
Greek & Turkish
There was a Greek community in Greek Street, London as long ago as 1677 so Greek
cuisine is not exactly new to Britain. The influx of Cypriots started in the 1920s and
1930s and they began opening restaurants after the Second World War. Greek
Cypriots tended to settle in Hackney, Palmers Green, Islington and Haringey and
Turkish Cypriots in Stoke Newington. Greek Cypriots appeared in Soho in 1930’s
then Camden Town after the war and then Fulham by the mid 1960s. The main influx
of Turkish Cypriots was in the 1960s and by 1971 the Greek Cypriot community had
turned its attention to Wood Green, Palmers Green and Turnpike Lane.
Only around one third of the 550 or so Greek restaurants in Britain are in London,
most of these being in North and West London. Some 40% of the 150 or so Turkish
restaurants are in the capital with a heavy concentration in North London. Turkish
cuisine is also well represented in Scotland. One of the earliest Greek restaurants was
not in London at all but Georges in St Michael Street, Southampton in 1940, slightly
pre-dated by The White Tower in London’s West End in 1939. Kalamaras in
London W2 opened in 1966 and remains popular today ; Andreas started in Charlotte
Street in 1960 and the cuisine moved up-market with the opening of The Real Greek
in Hoxton in 1999. Many of the earliest Turkish restaurants grew up in the Stoke
Newington area where the earliest community was located. The most successful of the
Turkish restaurants was the Efes Group which started in 1974 in London and moved
to several locations throughout the country, Husayin Oser’s Sofra Group and the Tas
Group in London.
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Tex Mex/Afro-Caribbean
Tex Mex is a modern, Texas influenced version of traditional Mexican cuisine based
around staples such as the tortilla, enchiladas, tacos and tostados but introducing chilli
con carne, burritos, fajitas and chimichangas. The introduction of Tex Mex and
Mexican cuisine came from the American servicemen and the tourists since the
Second World War and the present popularity of all this group of cuisines has been
very much influenced by travel. There are some 380 Tex Mex/Caribbean restaurants
in Britain turning over some £300 million a year. Whilst public demand for Tex Mex,
Mexican and Caribbean food grew in the last decade of the last millennium, the
growth of good class restaurants was slow to respond. The retail sector was the first to
respond to the demand but the quality of the restaurants in the sector is now
improving rapidly. Tex Mex in Edinburgh was first opened in July 1984 and was the
first Mexican Restaurant outside London. It prospered for 16 years with branch
restaurants in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Inexpensive groups such Chiquito and the
new Chimichanga chain, have done a lot to popularise Tex/Mex and Mexican
cuisine.
Creole and Cajun cuisines, which also derive from the Southern States of America,
particularly the Mississippi Delta around Louisiana, are very much centred around
fresh, local produce and have never developed to any great extent overseas. Creoles
are the descendents of seventeenth century European settlers whilst Cajuns were
French-Canadians who dashed southwards when the British became dominant in
Canada. Creole food has French flair plus the Spanish love of strong seasonings and
both Cajun and Creole have absorbed the influence of the African slaves bringing
okra, black-eyed peas and beans.
Afro-Caribbean cuisine started with the peaceful Arawaks who first settled the area
then the war-like Caribs from South America, who brought allspice, cassava and
chillies. The African slaves provided the next influence plus an input from the
colonial powers - Captain Bligh introduced the West African tree that ackees come
from - and finally the Hindus from India in the nineteenth century bringing their own
curry.
In the 1951 Census there were only 27,218 people of Caribbean birth or born of West
Indian parents but this figure had boomed to 548,070 by 1971. Since that time
numbers have remained reasonably static although numbers actually born in the
Caribbean have actually fallen 40,000.
Biggest country of origin was Jamaica who tended to settle in Clapham and Brixton.
The Barbadian community went for Notting Hill and Guyanese, Tottenham and Wood
Green. The restaurant community for Afro-Caribbean cuisine has been slow to
develop but the signs of real growth are definitely there. Initial growth was, as with
most ethnic cuisines, in London but there are now restaurants all over the country. UK
Mama, opened in 1985 in Sheffield, was the first Afro-Caribbean restaurant in the
history of Yorkshire. The Hummingbird in Finsbury Park, was one of the capital's
first Caribbean restaurants.
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Other Ethnic Styles
Britain in general and London in particular is a melting pot for cuisines from all over
the world such that London can presently lay claim to being the restaurant capital of
the world. Spanish cuisine is particularly well represented by over 200 restaurants,
50% of which are in London.
The lavish Spanish Club opened in Cavendish Square W1 as long ago as 1920 and
Don Pepe in Frampton Street NW8 claims to have led the ‘tapas’ craze when they
opened in 1974 and the La Tasca group is very successful.
There is a very good selection of top class Lebanese restaurants in London and
elsewhere in UK, as well as Portuguese(the Nando’s Group), Russian, Brazilian,
Moroccan, Egyptian and even Ethiopian and most of the ethnic cuisines of the
world are represented to differing degrees in Britain’s capital.
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Appendix 4
DEAN MAHOMED –
FIRST MAN OF CURRY
Sake Dean Mahomed's remarkable career in Britain, where he lived for nearly threequarters of a century, gives us unique insights into how one early Indian migrant
managed to find a place for himself and his family, first in Georgian Ireland and then
in England.
Born in 1759 in Patna, Bihar, Dean Mahomed, came from an elite Muslim family,
being related to the Nawabs of Bengal and Bihar, his ancestors having risen in the
administrative service of the Mughal emperors. In 1769, aged 11, when his father died
prematurely, Mahomed fulfilled his early ambition to enter a 'military life' when he
joined Godfrey Baker, an Irish Cadet, as a camp follower. Mahomed rose rapidly, first
to the position of Market Master in 1781, then jemedar (ensign) and finally subedar
(captain). Such rapid promotion reflects Baker's patronage, whose own fortunes had
risen too. As part of Baker's battalion, Mahomed saw action and he took part in
several of the battles (e.g., against Cheyt Singh) that extended the Company's
domination over India, a process completed during Mahomed's own lifetime.
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In 1782, Mahomed resigned from the Army to accompany Captain Baker, who was
dismissed the service, to Ireland. At the age of 25, in September 1784, Mahomed
arrived at Dartmouth to start a new life in Britain.
For the first several years Mahomed lived in Ireland with the Baker family, in a
prosperous part of Cork on the South Mall. Mahomed's life in Cork is not well
documented except for a brief account from Abu Talib Khan's visit to the Baker
household in December 1799, during which he met Mahomed. We learn that
Mahomed was sent to school to learn English, where he met a young woman 'known
to be fair and beautiful', the daughter of 'a family of rank of Cork', with whom he
eloped to another town, returning to Cork after their marriage in 1786. This was Jane
Daly. According to Abu Talib Khan, the Mahomeds had 'several beautiful children ...
a separate house and wealth'; Mahomed had published a book, giving an account of
himself and the customs of India. From the account of Abu Talib Khan there is no
doubting that Mahomed had retained the patronage of the Baker clan for this unusual
relationship.
In 1794 Mahomed's book The Travels of Dean Mahomet, written as a series of letters
to an imaginary friend, was published in Cork. It is the first book to be written and
published in English by an Indian. As an historical document, it provides a valuable
'Indian voice', describing India's conquest, which Mahomed witnessed as a member of
the Company's army, in a version different from existing European accounts.
Mahomed also describes the physical landscape of India--its cities and towns, as well
as Indian society--and Muslim life as an insider, giving us an Indian perspective to set
alongside contemporary European accounts.
Around 1807-8 Mahomed arrived in London with wife Jane and 10 year old son
William. The birth of his daughter Amelia in August 1808 locates Mahomed in
London's Portman Square, a fashionable area and a haunt of India-returned nabobs.
Here, Mahomed first found employment with a rich nabob, Sir Basil Cochrane, who
had set up a vapour bath establishment in his huge mansion in Portman Square.
Mahomed is said to have added an Indian treatment, 'shampooing' (champi) or
therapeutic massage, to Cochrane's vapour bath, a treatment that would later make
Mahomed famous in Brighton under the name 'Sake Dean Mahomed'. However he
was given little acknowledgement at the time so he embarked on a different
independent career: as proprietor of the Hindoostanee Coffee-House.
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The Coffee-House, was established in 1809 at 34 George Street, Portman Square just
behind Cochrane's house. Aimed at Anglo-Indians, Mahomed offered them “the
enjoyment of Hookha, with 'real chilm tobacco', and Indian dishes 'in the highest
perfection, and allowed by the greatest epicures to be unequalled to any curries ever
made in England', in a setting decorated with Indian and Oriental scenes”.
Mahomed, unfortunately, over-reached himself by too rapid an expansion despite
taking John Spencer on as partner: his 'purse' was not 'strong enough to stand the slow
test of public encouragement', and he was forced to declare bankruptcy in the London
Gazette in 1812.
Having fallen on hard times with Henry Edwin born 1810 and Deen in 1812, in 1813
Mahomed advertised for a situation as a butler or valet, adding that he had 'no
objection to town or country' in order to increase his employability. His son William,
aged 16 and a postman in London, could not have earned enough to support the
family. Around 1814 Mahomed arrived in Brighton as a 'shampooing surgeon' at the
Devonshire Place bath-house, possibly as a result of his advertisement. The date can
be inferred from two sources: a testimonial from a grateful patient, dated 10
November 1814, and the baptism record from March 1815 of his daughter Rosanna.
Here Mahomed set up his own distinctive establishment: the Indian Vapour Baths and
Shampooing Establishment. As with the Hindoostanee Coffee-House, he found a new
way to cultural entrepreneurship, trading on his Indian-ness, and emphasising the
Indian qualities of his Medicated Vapour Bath with the use of special Indian oils in
shampooing and herbs for the bath 'brought expressly from India'. Mahomed claimed
that he introduced shampooing to Britain, that his treatment was more powerful and
'superior' to other remedies for rheumatic aches and pains, that he alone, 'a native of
India', possessed 'to an eminent degree' the art of shampooing. At Mahomed's Baths
patients first lay in a steaming, aromatic herbal bath; having sweated freely, they were
then placed in a kind of flannel tent with sleeves. They were then massaged
vigorously by someone outside the tent, whose arms alone penetrated the flannel
walls. Soon he was claiming to have served thousands of visitors.
Cases Cured, a book of letters from grateful patients, was published in 1820,
according to Mahomed at 'the pressing desire' of the nobility and gentry. In the
vestibule of his establishments were 'hung ... crutches of former martyrs of
rheumatism, lumbago or sciatica, said to have been cured by Mahomed's 'vigourous
and scientific shampooing'. He kept visitors books (separate ones for men and
women) for patients' comments. Each new edition of his book Shampooing, or
Benefits Resulting From the Use of the Indian Medicated Vapour Bath, As introduced
Into This Country, by S.D. Mahomed (A native of India), first published in 1822,
carried the names of patients successfully cured and glowing notices from them. The
book, largely consisting of descriptions of successful cures for asthma, paralysis,
rheumatism, sciatica and loss of voice, reached a third edition in 1838. Mahomed
attempted to demonstrate that what in India was regarded as 'a restorative luxury', in
England worked as a 'most surprising and powerful remedy' for many diseases.
Re-inventing himself, Mahomed edited out his period in Cork and London. He
advanced his birth by ten years to 1749 and provided himself with medical training,
claiming that he had been 'educated to the profession of, and served in the Company's
services as a surgeon', a claim that is dubious and unproven. Mahomed's Baths
became famous, meriting a mention in Brighton guidebooks and newspapers in both
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Brighton and London. According to one gushing notice, Mahomed's Baths were 'daily
thronged, not only with the ailing but the hale ... the powerful efficacy of [the Baths]
... have brought foreigners to him from all quarters of the world'. Indeed, the visitors’
books bear testimony to how well the Baths were patronised. His patients from among
the nobility and gentry included Lords Castlereagh, Canning and Reay, and Lady
Cornwallis and Sir Robert Peel. Mahomed's highest achievement was to be appointed
Shampooing Surgeon to King George IV, an appointment continued under William
IV.
Mahomed opened a second establishment in London, at 7 Ryder Street, St James's,
managed by his son Horatio. Mahomed's Baths remained among 'the noted institutions
of Brighton' and Mahomed himself one of its 'local celebrities', long remembered
driving to the Races 'gorgeous in Eastern costume, with his pretty wife by his side,
and a dagger in his girdle'. A kind-hearted and benevolent man, in his prosperous
days he was said to have 'a heart and hand ready to relieve the wants of others'. As a
public figure patronised by royalty, Mahomed often loyally illuminated his Baths with
gas lights to mark royal occasions. From 1841, as a Brighton citizen, he was on the
register of voters.
Mahomed retired from active work in 1834, aged 75, handing over to his son Arthur.
With Queen Victoria's accession to the throne in 1837, Brighton lost its favoured
place and Mahomed his prominence. A financial blow in 1841 spelled the end of
Mahomed's Baths. He died in February 1851, his wife Jane preceding him in
December 1850. He was buried in St Nicholas' churchyard in Brighton and his
tombstone says he was 102 years old!!
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Appendix 5
ORIGINS OF CURRY
(Are they really English or perhaps even, Sumerian?)
Most people in the world today know what a curry is - or at least think they do.
In Britain the term ‘curry’ has come to mean almost any Indian dish, whilst most
people from the sub-continent would say it is not a word they use, but if they did
it would mean a meat, vegetable or fish dish with spicy sauce and rice or bread.
The earliest known recipe for meat in spicy sauce with bread appeared on tablets
found near Babylon in Mesopotamia, written in cuniform text as discovered by the
Sumerians, and dated around 1700 B.C., probably as an offering to the god Marduk.
The origin of the word itself is the stuff of legends, but most pundits have settled on
the origins being the Tamil word ‘kari’ meaning spiced sauce. In his excellent Oxford
Companion to Food, Alan Davidson quotes this as a fact and supports it with
reference to the accounts from a Dutch traveller in 1598 referring to a dish called
‘Carriel’. He also refers to a Portuguese cookery book from the seventeenth century
called Atre do Cozinha, with chilli-based curry powder called ‘caril’.
In her ‘50 Great Curries of India’, Camellia Panjabi says the word today simply
means ‘gravy’. She also goes for the Tamil word ‘kaari or kaaree’ as the origin, but
with some reservations, noting that in the north, where the English first landed in
1608 then 1612, a gravy dish is called ‘khadi’.
Pat Chapman of Curry Club fame offers several possibilities: ‘karahi or
karai(Hindi)’ from the wok-shaped cooking dish, ‘kari’ from the Tamil or ‘Turkuri’ a
seasonal sauce or stew.
The one thing all the experts seem to agree on is that the word originates from India
and was adapted and adopted by the British Raj.
On closer inspection, however, there is just as much evidence to suggest that this
could be a misconception and the word, if not the dish, was English all along.
In the time of Richard I there was a revolution in English cooking. In the better-off
kitchens, cooks were regularly using ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, galingale,
cubebs, coriander, cumin, cardamom and aniseed, resulting in highly spiced cooking
very similar to India. They also had a ‘powder fort’, ‘powder douce’ and ‘powder
blanch’.
Then, in Richard II’s reign (1377-1399) the first real English cookery book was
written. Richard employed 200 cooks and they, plus others including philosophers,
produced a work with 196 recipes in 1390 called ‘The Forme of Cury’ followed by
‘Curye on Inglish: English Culinary Manuscripts of the Fourteenth-Century’. ‘Cury’
was the Old English word for cooking derived from the French ‘cuire’ - to cook, boil,
grill - hence cuisine.
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In the preface it says “forme of cury was compiled of the chef maistes cokes of kyng
Richard the Secunde kyng of nglond aftir the conquest; the which was accounted the
best and ryallest vyand of alle csten ynges: and it was compiled by assent and
avysement of maisters and phisik and of philosophie that dwellid in his court. First it
techith a man to make commune pottages and commune meetis for howshold, as they
shold be made, craftly and holsomly, Aftirward it techith for to make curious potages
and meetes and sotiltees for alle maner of states, bothe hye and lowe. And the techyng
of the forme of making of potages and of meetes, bothe flesh and of fissh, buth y sette
here by noumbre and by ordre”.
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In his book ‘Manners and Meals in Olden Times’ (1868) F.J.Furnell noted a passage
from a fifteenth century treatise (John Russells Boke of Nurture 1460-1470) against
nouvelle cuisine well before the English merchants visited India :
‘Cooks with peire newe conceytes,
choppynge, stampynge and gryndynge
Many new curies alle day pey ar contryvynge and fyndynge
pat provotethe pe peple to perelles of passage prouz peyne soore pyndynge
and prouz nice excesse of such receytes of pe life to make a endynge.’
(“Cooks are always inventing new dishes that tempt people and endanger their lives”)
So when the English merchants landed at Surat in 1608 and 1612, then Calcutta
1633, Madras 1640 and Bombay 1668, the word ‘cury’ had been part of the
English language for well over two hundred years. In fact, it was noted that the
meal from Emperor Jahangir’s kitchens of dumpukht fowl stewed in butter with
spices, almond and raisins served to those merchants in 1612, was very similar to a
recipe for English Chicken Pie in a popular cookery book of the time, The English
Huswife, Containing the Inward and Outward Virtues Which Ought to Be in a
Complete Woman first published in London in 1615 by Gervase Markham.
Indeed many spices had been in Europe for hundreds of years by then, after the
conquests of the Romans in 40AD and the taking of Al Andulus by the Moors in 711
AD, bringing to Europe the culinary treasures of the spice routes.
Many supporters of the Tamil word kari as the basis for curry, use the definition from
the excellent Hobson-Jobson Anglo English Dictionary, first published in 1886. The
book quotes a passage from the Mahavanso (c A.D. 477) which says “he partook of
rice dressed in butter with its full accompaniment of curries.” The important thing,
however, is the note that this is Turnour’s translation of the original Pali which used
the word “supa” not the word curry. Indeed Hobson -Jobson even accepts that there is
a possibility that “the kind of curry used by Europeans and Mohommedans is not of
purely Indian origin, but has come down from the spiced cookery of medieval Europe
and Western Asia.”
Whatever the truth, ‘curry’ was rapidly adopted in Britain. In 1747 Hannah Glasse
produced the first known printed recipe for modern ‘currey’ in Glasse’s Art of
Cookery and by 1773 at least one London Coffee House had curry on the menu.
Hannah Glasse was born and raised in Hexham and had an idyllic country upbringing
before moving to London and producing her recipe for ‘Currey the Indian Way’ with
Northumberland game and and just two spices, pepper and coriander seeds, making it
like an aromatic stew. Hannah married a soldier of fortune, John Glasse, at the age of
16 and moved to London where they fell on hard times. She started on her book in
1746 to make ends meet and offered advice on everything from roasting to preserving
and was a huge success. Despite the success she went bankrupt and ended up in
debtor’s prison from where she was released in 1757.
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Hannah Glasse’s Recipe for Currey the Indian Way
Two fowls or rabbits, cut into small pieces, three or four small onions, peeled and
cut very small. 30 peppercorns, large spoonful of rice, coriander seeds browned
over the fire in a cler shovel and beaten to a powder, tea-spoonful of salt, fresh
butter, pint of water.
Mix all well together with the meat, put all together in a saucepan or stew pan with
a pint of water, let it stew softly till the meat is enough, then put in a piece of fresh
butter, about as big as a large walnut, shake it well together, and when it is smooth
and of a fine thickness, dish it up and send it to table; the sauce is too thick, add a
little more water before it is done, and more salt if it wants it. You are to observe
that the sauce must be pretty thick.
Thus Britain’s love affair with India was solidified (growing from up to 15% of UK
imports being from India in the 1720s) with the total rule of the East India Company
effectively starting in 1757 with the conquest of Bengal after the Battle of Plessey
until 1858 when the British Crown took over following the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
Another very popular cookery book writer of the period, Elizabeth Raffald (1733 1781) also included a recipe for curry in her “The Experienced English Housekeeper”
first published in 1769. She was the housekeeper at Arley Hall in Cheshire and
dedicated the book, which became a favourite of Queen Victoria, to Lady Elizabeth
Warburton.
In 1791 Stephana Malcom, the grandaughter of the Laird of Craig included a curry
recipe she called Chicken Topperfield plus Currypowder, Chutnies and Mulligatawny
soup as recorded in ‘In The Lairds Kitchen, Three Hundred Years of Food in
Scotland’.
Around the same time the word "consumer" began to appear which, conversely, was
not originally an English word, as one might think, but derived from 'Khansaman', the
title of the house steward - the chief table servant and purchaser as well as provider of
all food in Anglo-Indian households.
In the1780s the first commercial curry powder appeared. A notice in the Morning Post
Newspaper in 1784 quoted the introduction of curry powder by Solander from the
East Indies. It was “only to be had at Sorlie’s Perfumery Warehouse 23 Piccadilly”
and said to be “exceedingly pleasant and healthful”.
However, curry recipes really came to the fore when a complete chapter on AngloIndian recipes was included by editor Emma Roberts (died 1840) in the 64th edition
of Maria Rundell’s “A New System of Domestic Cookery” published after her death in
1841.
In 1846 its fame was assured when William Makepeace Thackeray wrote a ‘Poem
to Curry’ in his ‘Kitchen Melodies’.
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Curry
Three pounds of veal my darling girl prepares,
And chops it nicely into little squares;
Five onions next prures the little minx
(The biggest are the best, her Samiwel thinks),
And Epping butter nearly half a pound,
And stews them in a pan until they’re brown’d.
What’s next my dexterous little girl will do?
She pops the meat into the savoury stew,
With curry-powder table-spoonfuls three,
And milk a pint (the richest that may be),
And, when the dish has stewed for half an hour,
A lemon’s ready juice she’ll o’er it pour.
Then, bless her! Then she gives the luscious pot
A very gentle boil - and serves quite hot.
PS - Beef, mutton, rabbit, if you wish,
Lobsters, or prawns, or any kind fish,
Are fit to make a CURRY. ‘Tis, when done,
A dish for Emperors to feed upon.
In the same year Charles Elme Francatelli, chief cook and maitre d’hotel to Queen
Victoria included a recipe for ‘Indian Curry Sauce’ in his ‘The Modern Cook’, based
on Cook’s or Bruce’s meat curry paste.
In 1861 it was Mrs Beeton’s turn in her ‘Book of Household Management’ where she
included no less than fourteen curry recipes, including Dr Kitchener’s Recipe for
India Curry Powder. Even Charles Ranhofer, chef at Delmonico’s (1862-98) wrote
in The Epicurean “Curry - the best comes from India. An imitation is made of one
ounce of coriander seeds, two ounces of cayenne, a quarter ounce of cardamom
89
seeds, one ounce salt, two ounces turmeric, one ounce ginger, half an ounce of mace
and a third of an ounce of saffron”.
The development of the curry industry in Britain has been peculiarly Anglo-Asian
such that many people brandish ‘authenticity’ as if it were the Holy Grail. According
to Camellia Panjabi “Ninety nine per cent of Indians do not have a tandoor and so
neither Tandoori Chicken nor Naan are part of India’s middle class cuisine. This is
even so in the Punjab, although some villages have communal tandoors where rotis
can be baked. Ninety five per cent of Indians don’t know what a vindaloo, jhal farezi
or, for that matter, a Madras curry is”.
Since the opening of The Bombay Brasserie in London in 1982 there has been a
growing group of highly trained chefs offering the classic Indian dishes, but the
backbone of the British industry has consisted largely of self taught chefs who have
been clever enough to adapt to market requirements resulting in the Balti craze and
the, now world famous, Chicken Tikka Masala amongst others.
‘Curry’ has not looked back since and was recently named the British National dish
after a major opinion poll by Gallup. It is interesting to note that the Portuguese,
Dutch and even the French were in India long before or concurrently with the English
and yet it was Britain that readily adopted curry, not the others.
Perhaps it was because England had had a tradition of ‘cury’ all along!
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Appendix 6
IS IT OR ISN’T IT?
(The Chicken Tikka Masala Story)
Marks & Spenser once claimed to sell 18 tonnes a week of the stuff :
23 million portions a year are sold in Indian restaurants :
Many schools and charities in Sylhet, Bangladesh are run by proceeds from its sales :
Chef Iftekar Haris from Newport, Gwent once wrote a musical in praise of it :
Organisers of National Curry Week claim that if all the portions sold in one year in
UK were stacked they would constitute a tikka tower 2770 times taller than the
Greenwich Millennium Dome (now 02 Arena).
- and yet in an article in The Daily Telegraph in November 1999, journalist Amit
Roy referred to it as “a dish which does not exist in Indian cuisine”. So the
question is ‘is it a genuine Indian dish or isn’t it?’
The name of this enigma? - Chicken Tikka Masala of course. The flagship dish of
Britain’s acclaimed ‘national cuisine’ boasting a huge 14.6% of the sales of the almost
half a million curries consumed, on average, in the restaurants and homes of the
United Kingdon every day of the year. Chicken Tikka Masala, or CTM as it was
affectionately dubbed by food writer Colleen Grove in ‘Spice n Easy Magazine’ in
November 1994, is one of those culinary fables that lends a touch of intrigue and
excitement to an already exotic cuisine.
Amit Roy was quite correct to observe that the dish does not hail from India and that
it was specifically created to appeal to the British palate by some very astute
restaurateurs. This much is not in doubt but when one moves on to the history of the
dish, fact becomes fiction and depends on just who one talks to.
No ‘Indian’ chef seems to have produced any real evidence that he or she first
invented the dish and it is commonly thought that its invention came about almost by
accident. Journalist Peter Grove and restaurateur Iqbal Wahhab created an urban
legend when they claimed as a joke that it was created when a Bangladeshi chef
produced a dish of traditional Chicken Tikka only to be asked “where’s my gravy?”
The response was, supposedly, a can of Campbell’s cream of tomato soup and a few
spices and the ‘masala’ element was born. Top food writer Charles Campion refers
to CTM as “a dish invented in London in the Seventies so that the ignorant could have
gravy with their chicken tikka”. Several chefs have made claim to the invention of
CTM but none with any firm evidence or witness support so the mystery will have to
remain.
The descendents of Sultan Ahmed Ansari, who owned the Taj Mahal in Glasgow
claim with absolute conviction that he invented it in the late 1950s although this
competes with numerous other similar claims of invention.The tandoor, which
boosted tikka sales, had not even arrived in Britain at that time, having only been
introduced for the first time to the Indian restaurant, Moti Mahal in New Delhi in
1948.
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Other claimants for the invention of CTM include Zaeemuddin Ahmad, a chef at
Delhi's Karim Hotel, which was established by the last chef of the last Mughal
emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, who says the recipe had been passed down through the
generations in his family.
"Chicken tikka masala is an authentic Mughlai recipe prepared by our forefathers
who were royal chefs in the Mughal period. Mughals were avid trekkers and used to
spend months altogether in jungles and far off places. They liked roasted form of
chickens with spices," he said.
Rahul Verma, Delhi's most authoritative expert on street food, said he first tasted the
dish in 1971 and that its origins were in Punjab. "Its basically a Punjabi dish not more
than 40-50 years old and must be an accidental discovery which has had periodical
improvisations," he said..
Alternatively another claim says Chicken Tandoori Masala was invented by a famous
Bengali music composer, Moslehuddin, when working in the restaurant trade in the
city of Birmingham, in a restaurant called the Houseboat in the mid 1970's.
The story goes that he was unable to find long term employment in the U.K. and had
to work in the restaurant trade. While there he could not let go of his creativity and
decided to try out several new dishes that would get a positive response from his
clientele. In one such creation he took chicken tikka cooked in a clay oven and mixed
it with chicken curry, making it milder than normal by adding liquid from yogurt and
tomato puree or sauce. He got such a positive reaction from this dish that he refined it
further and had it placed as a permanent item on the menu.
It wasn’t long before other restaurants in Birmingham, of which there were many,
started to copy the menu item. Regulars at the “Houseboat” and later at the “Rajdoot”,
the “Shah” on Broad street and then at Mosley’s on Broad street, which were all
restaurants where Moslehuddin offered Chicken Tikka Masala in the 1970’s and
1980’s, continued to demand the succulent dish according to his wife Nahid Niazi.
Whatever the various claims, the Moti Mahal can be seen as the true origins of CTM
in its basic form of Butter Chicken. Lala Kundan Lal Gujral first set up in Peshawar
in 1920 but came to Delhi in 1947 to set up Moti Mahal. He worked with a local man
to produce the first restaurant version of the tandoor and invented tandoori spice mix
for tandoori chicken -ground coriander seeds, black pepper and mild red pepper.
Called Murg Makhani in Hindi, Butter Chicken originated in the 1950s at the Moti
Mahal restaurant in Old Delhi. Famed for its Tandoori Chicken, the cooks there used
to recycle the leftover chicken juices in the marinade trays by adding butter and
tomato. This sauce was then tossed around with the tandoor-cooked chicken pieces
and presto - Butter Chicken was ready! The leftover dish appealed to Delhites and
was quickly lapped up by the rest of the world.
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RECIPE FOR KEBAB BUTTER MASALA (Courtesy Monish Gujral of Moti
Mahal)
Ingredients for the KebabsMinced lamb- 500 gm
Egg, beaten- 1
Onion , finely chopped- 1
Green chillies, finely chopped- 2
Red chilli powder- 5 tsp
Ginger, chopped- 1tsp
Garam masala- 5 tsp
Salt to taste
Green coriander chopped- 2 tsp
Lemon cut into wedges-1
Method to cook the kebabsCombine all ingredients except last two in a bowl
Divide the mixture equally in 16 balls . Skewer each ball and with wet hands make 2”long
kebabs along with the skewer
Put the skewers in the tandoor or preheated conventional oven pre set at 350 deg cfor 7-8
minutes
Take them out brush them with oil turn around and cook again
Take out from skewers and keep aside.
These also can be served as a snack –arranged on a platter garnished with chopped coriander
and lemon wedges
………………………………………………….
For the masala-----------------Refined oil- 2 tbsp
Onion chopped- 1
Ginger-garlic paste 2 tbsp
Cumin powder- 1 tsp
Coriander powder- 1 tso
Turmeric powder- 1tsp
Red chilli powder- 2 tsp
Garam masala- 1 tsp
Salt to tasteGreen chilli sliced- 2
Tomato puree – 300 ml
Lemon juice- 15ml
Butter-50gm
Fresh double cream- 100 ml
Green coriander chopped- 1 tbsp
-----------------------------------------
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Method for the masala----------------------------Heat the oil in the wok
Add onions and sauté till golden brown
Stir in ginger garlic paste
Add spices and salt
Now add the seekh kebabs and stir for 3-4 minutes
Add green chillies , tomato puree and lemon juice and stir for few minutes
Now add butter . As the butter melts add cream and remove from fire
Serve hot garnished with chopped coriander
So impressed was India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru by Kundal Lal's
dishes that Moti Mahal became a permanent fixture in all his state banquets. Legend
has it that when former Soviet premier Nikita Kruschev was asked what he liked
about India, he replied, ''Taj Mahal and Moti Mahal''. When the Shah of Iran came on
a state visit to India, the Indian Education Minister Maulana Azad told him that
coming to Delhi without eating at Moti Mahal was like going to Agra and not seeing
the Taj Mahal.
Kundan Lal Gujral
After Nehru, his daughter and then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi continued the
relationship with Moti Mahal. So fascinated was she by the food that at the wedding
of her younger son Sanjay Gandhi, Moti Mahal specialties dominated the dinner.
Kundan Lal Gujral, a larger-than-life figure whom people still remember for his
immaculate Pathani suits, handlebar moustache, love for good whisky and the favours
he dispensed because of his proximity to Indira Gandhi, would personally serve his
guests. His wife would begin each day grinding the masalas, a closely guarded secret,
that went into the signature dishes. His grandson Monish has revived the fortunes of
Moti Mahal in recent years and now boasts a group with 72 outlets.
An advertisement in a programme for the London Palladium promoting Cinderella
starring Cliff Richard in 1966 by The Gaylord in Mortimer Street featured what was
thought to be the first tandoor dishes in Britain. Mahendra Kaul, now involved with
Chor Bizarre and Viceroy Brasserie in London, sent ‘the tandoor’ to USA for the
World’s Fair a few years earlier before loaning it and his staff to an unamed restaurant
of a friend in United Kingdom who was on hard times, before installing it in The
Gaylord. However, information from archived documents at the famous Veeraswamy
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in London show the tandoor was in use at the restaurant as early as 1959, some ten
years before it became widely known in Britain.
Top restaurateur Amin Ali, owner of The Red Fort in London’s Soho remembers
serving CTM when he first arrived in London in 1974. A lowly waiter at the time he
remembers wondering just what the dish was.
Certainly one family to have tangible benefits from the success of CTM is that of
Sheik Abdul Khalique who owns The Polash in Shoeburyness which opened in
1979. His father, Haji Abdul Razzah, returned to Bangladesh in 1985 having made
sufficient profit to build The Polash Hotel in Sylhet and a Mosque and The Polash
Sheba Charitable Trust were added after his death. The family firmly claim their
fortunes are largely down to CTM, the mysterious Indian/British hybrid.
CTM was introduced to Waitrose by G.K.Noon in 1983 when he was still in the
United States and by the end of the Millennium it was generally acknowledged as the
most popular single dish in Britain.
“Chicken tikka masala is now Britain’s true national dish, not only because it is
the most popular, but because it is a perfect illustration of the way Britain absorbs
and adapts external influences. Chicken tikka is an Indian dish. The masala sauce
was added to satisfy the desire of British people to have their meat served in gravy”
Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, April 2001
For something that is so popular with the public and with the restaurateurs who make
their living from it, Chicken Tikka Masala is very much a Cinderella of culinary
creations. Very few recipes for CTM appear in the plethora of Indian Cuisine
cookbooks that have appeared over the last twenty years and Alan Davidson’s Oxford
Companion to Food does not even consider it deserving of a listing. Indeed, such are
the passions it generates in the industry, that many top chefs originally refused to cook
or serve it due to its complete ‘lack of authenticity’.
However, exist it does and demanded it is, so just what is Chicken Tikka Masala?
Tikkas are the bite-sized chunks you cut chicken into and these are marinated and
cooked in the tandoor. The masala part is where things become difficult. Masala
means spices but no exact recipe for these seems to exist. CTM can be yellow, red,
brownish or even green and can be very creamy, a little creamy, chilli hot or quite
mild. In restaurants it tends to be a creamy sauce - not too hot; a bit tomatoey; very
smooth and, all too often, quite sweet and very red (although food colouring has now
been replaced by natural ingredients such as beetroot). In supermarkets, once you
have by-passed the masses of CTM pizzas, filled pancakes, kievs, pies, microwave
rolls and so on, you come to the chilled and frozen ready meals which range from
mild onion gravy to saffron cream to velvety vermillion.
Created on the spur of the moment under pressure it may have been but, as a culinary
concept, the basic dish, if not the name, already existed. As mentioned in the previous
chapter, the earliest known recipe for meat in a spicy sauce with a bread appeared on
tablets found near Babylon in Mesopotamia, written in cuniform text by the
Sumerians as long ago as 1700 B.C.
95
The North Indian dishes Murg Masalla and Murgh Makhni have been part of the
Indian chef’s repertoire for many years. The Bombay Palace Cookbook by Stendahl in
1985 listed a recipe for Palace Murgh Kari including yoghurt, tomato paste and
heavy cream and Niru Gupta’s ‘Everyday Indian’ (1995) lists Murgh Rasedar, which
includes most of the required ingredients, including cream, tomatoes and onions.
The shape of things to come may have been a recipe for Shahi Chicken Masala in
Mrs Balbir Singh’s ‘Indian Cookery’ published in 1961.
Mridula Baljekar is one of the few cookery writers to have included CTM in her
bestselling ‘Complete Indian Cookbook’ (1993) including food colouring and tomato
puree as well as double cream and almonds. Chef Mohammed Moneer introduced
yet another ingredient with half a cup of coconut milk instead of cream.
It seems that the ingredients generally include yoghurt, tomatoes, cream and spices as
well as the chicken pieces and if you have found a version that suits you then stick to
it. The Spice n Easy article in 1993 endeavoured to produce the definitive recipe from
forty eight versions on offer where the only common denominator was the chicken,
and came up with a ‘standard’ version.
Chicken Tikka Masala was most certainly invented in Britain, probably by a
Bangaldeshi chef, based on Butter Chicken and is so popular it is even being served in
some hotel restaurants in India and Bangladesh and around the world.
It does not come from the Raj or the kitchens of the Moghul Emperors, but
millions of people enjoy it every year and perhaps that is all the pedigree it
needs!
CTM of the Year 2002 as voted in the Best in Britain Awards (BIBA)
Chef Manzoor Ahmed of Tabaq Restaurant South Clapham, London(now
closed)
Ingredients :
1lb large diced boneles chicken breast
1 oz garlic
1 oz ginger
4 tbs fresh natural yoghurt
2 small fresh green chillies
1 tsp salt
1 tbs lemon juice
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tbs red paprika
4-5 fresh green coriander
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Method :
Grind fresh green chilies, fresh coriander, garlic and ginger with 2-3 tbs water until a thick paste
is formed. Marinate the chicken in the paste then add the salt and yoghurt. Next add the lemon
juice, cumin, coriander powder and red paprika and mix thoroughly. Leave chicken to marinate
in the paste overnight.
Sauce :
4 oz chopped onions
3 oz ghee
1 oz ground garlic
1 oz ground ginger
3 oz yoghurt
1/2 tsp cumin powder
2 tbs desicated coconut
4 oz fresh single cream
2 medium tomatoes (liquidised)
1.2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp coriander powder
pinch dried methi
Method :
Take marinated chicken and cook on skewers in tandoor or 10-12 minutes under a grill on a
moderate high heat.
Fry onions in the ghee
Add tomatoes and yoghurt and mix on low/moderate heat. Add cumin powder, chilli powder,
coriander powder, salt, desicated coconut, dried methi and fresh single cream and mix
thoroughly. Water may be added if more liquid is required. Add cooked pieces or chicken to the
sauce and mix well. Leave to simmer on low heat. Transfer to serving dish garnish with a little
single cream and sprinkle liberally with fresh coriander and garam masala.
Traditional Butter Chicken
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Appendix 7
ON THE TRAIL OF THE TANDOOR
'It was there at the dawn of civilisation'
The Punjab in India is known by many today as the 'home of the tandoor', a cooking
method that has become known all over the world as the popularity of 'curry' has
spread. Its history, however, actually goes back to the dawn of civilisation from where
it spread from Arab countries to India and finally, the West.
The tandoor in its simplest form is a large clay jar with an opening at the bottom for
adding and removing fuel. It was used for bread baking where the dough was slapped
onto the vertical wall to bake quickly by radiant heat and convection. It was usually
made of good clay and shredded coir rope and, once complete, a paste of mustard oil,
jaggery, yoghurt and ground spinach was rubbed on the inside to harden it up.
In Afghanistan, the tandoor was usually built into the ground. Most homes were too
poor to have their own so they prepared their own dough and took it to the tandoor
bakery (the nanwaee) to be baked. A long notched stick called a chobe khat kept note
of the number of breads baked for a household each day and totalled each week for
payment.
The word tandoor came originally from the Middle East with the name deriving from
the Babylonian word ‘tinuru’ from the Semitic word nar meaning fire. Hebrew and
Arabic then made it tannur then tandur in Turkey, Central Asia and, finally Pakistan
and India, who made it famous worldwide. Understandably, many people assume the
tandoor to be native to India as evidence exists of early tandoors around 3000 BC.
The first evidence comes from early farming settlements of the time such as Umm
Bubaghiyeh on the plains between the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates. It is here that the
world’s first major civilization, the Sumerians, they of the legendary King-Hero
Gilgamesh, appeared, introducing advances that were to shape the world.
Metal worked tools had been known in several areas since 5000 B.C. and pottery from
Iran to the East Mediterraean Basin since 6000BC and Sumer built up the
infrastructure of civilzation including cuniform writing by 3500 B.C. in ‘fabulous’
Eridu. The Sumerians of Mesopotamia cultivated dates and, later, cereals as the land
improved. Sheep and cattle were kept and donkeys ridden. They were the earliest
people to use the wheel and, gradually, city states grew up and trade spread as far as
India.
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The Tandoor as it is today complete with naan
India was first populated 250,000 years ago but the first major civilization was the
Harappans, who occupied the Indus Valley where Baluchistan was a farming
community from 3500 B.C. By 3000 B.C. turmeric, cardamom, pepper and mustard
were harvested in India. The Harappans, who occupied Harappa and Mohenjodero in
the Indus Valley, were of mixed stock, somewhat larger in stature than either the
Sumerians or Egyptians denying theories that they were an extension of those
communities. They had club wheat, barley, sheep and goats from the Iranian Plateau
and cotton from Southern Arabia or North East Africa but were held back by their
reliance on flood waters due to general lack of knowledge of irrigation.
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Sumer had trade links with the Indus Valley via Hindu Kush by 3000 B.C.
introducing the tandoor amongst many other things and by sea from 2500 B.C., thus
linking the Harappans with both Sumerians and Egyptians, where cumin, anise and
cinnamon were used for embalming by 2500 B.C
Lala Kundan Lal Gujral first set up in Peshawar in 1920 but came to Delhi in 1947
to set up Moti Mahal. He worked with a local man to produce the first restaurant
version of the tandoor a year later and, indeed, Ranjit Mathrani of Chutney Mary and
Veeraswamy remembers eating tandoori food there in 1951 at the tender age of eight.
Today the modern Moti Mahal is a very successful group run by the great man’s
grandson Monish Gujral.
Several restaurants have claimed to be the first to have a tandoor in Britain. Initial
research suggested the man responsible was, in fact, Mahendra Kaul who started the
excellent Gaylord group and it was The Gaylord in Mortimer Street who advertised it
in a Palladium Theatre programme in 1966. Mr Kaul had taken the tandoor to
America for the Worlds Fair in 1964 then loaned it and his staff to the Kwality in
Whitfield Street, London that no longer exists, before starting the Gaylord. He is still
a partner in Chor Bizarre in London making him one of the most experienced people
still working in the industry.
Recently viewed archived documents at Veeraswamy indicate, however, a tandoor in
use much earlier, in 1959 and so, this famous restaurant seems to have been
responsible for the earliest introduction of tandoori style dishes to the UK, although it
would be some ten years and more before the tandoor became widely used in Britain.
If you had visited Veerawamy's, as it was then called, in December 1959, you could
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have enjoyed Chicken Tandoori (allow 15-20 minutes) for the princely sum of ten
shillings and sixpence.
Nowadays the tandoor is in use all over Britain and wherever the Indian restaurant
industry thrives, as well as in its countries of origin, and commercial tandoors now
have cemented brick walls and large commercial units are of iron. Many Pakistani and
Kashmiri restaurants in Britain continue to use the tandoor for breads only, preferring
to grill their kebabs whilst others have expanded the uses of the versatile tandoor to
give that special flavour to meat and fish.
One mystery still remains. Who introduced the word 'Tandoori' into restaurant names
in Britain such that in the year 2002, a large percentage of ‘Indian’ restaurants still
used the word in their restaurant name? It certainly wasn't either of the two pioneers
Veeraswamy or Gaylord, as they are not known as 'Tandoori' restaurants, so who was
the first? Any suggestions?
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Appendix 8
THE ‘CURRIFICATION’ OF THE WORLD
Although the ancestral home of ‘curry’ is the Indian sub-continent, the cuisine
has become one of the widest food styles enjoyed in the world and has spread
with a variety of amendments and innovations to many countries the world over.
Foremost amongst its fans are the people of Great Britain who have adopted
curry as their ‘national dish’ with over 9000 restaurants and the creation of
British/Asian dishes such as chicken tikka masala and balti. Britain is probably
the curry centre of the world on a per head of population reckoning but
everywhere the cuisine is enjoyed has its own variations and peculiarities.
Bengal/Bihar
Originally inhabited by Dravidians and other ethnic groups, and later, further settled
by the Aryans during the Gupta era, Bengal fell under the sway of various Muslim
rulers from the early thirteenth century onwards, and was then ruled by the British for
two centuries. Bengali cuisine includes many curries that are little known to the
outside world and are known for their spiciness.
The growth of Bengali cuisine has been very much shaped by the influence of Hindu
widows whose life largely revolved around the kitchen. Since widows were banned
'impassioning' condiments such as onion or garlic, many traditional Bengali recipes
don't use them
Authentic Bengali recipes are difficult to find outside Bengali kitchens, although
certain dishes are popular, such as jhalfrezi and prawn malai curry. Seafood and fresh
fish are a great favourite with Bengalis, and a dazzling array of curries has been
devised to accompany them. Mustard seeds and mustard oil are added to many
recipes, so are poppy seeds, and these are flavours highly specific to the Bengali
curries.
Much of Bihari cuisine resembles North Indian cuisine except for the use of mustard
oil. Dairy products are consumed frequently throughout the year, with common foods
including yoghurt known as dahi and also buttermilk known as mattha, ghee, lassi and
butter. Bihari cuisine is predominantly vegetarian. Biharis are quite famous for their
Bihari Kebabs, a typical Bihari non-vegetarian dish. This dish is traditionally made
from mutton and is eaten with roti, paratha or boiled rice.
Punjab/Kashmir
Punjabi cuisine is characterized by a profusion of dairy products in the form of malai
(cream), paneer (cottage cheese) and curds. Punjabi cuisine is mainly based upon
wheat, masalas (spice blends), pure desi ghee, with liberal amounts of butter and
cream.
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There are certain dishes that are exclusive to Punjab, such as Maha Di Dal and Saron
Da Saag (Sarson Ka Saag). The main masala in a Punjabi dish consists of onion,
garlic and ginger. Many of the most popular elements of Anglo-Indian cuisine - such
as Tandoor, Naan, Pakoras and vegetable dishes with paneer - derive from the Punjab.
Although chicken is a favourite with non-vegetarians, fish is also considered a
delicacy, especially in the Amritsar region, which is also known for its kulcha, baked
bread made of refined flour. The earliest references to the region’s food are found in
the Vedas, which document the lives of the Aryans in the Punjab over 6000 years ago.
Kashmiri cuisine is famous for its multi-course wazwan. The most notable ingredient
in Kashmir cuisine is mutton, of which there are over 30 varieties.
South India
Andhra Pradesh, one of the four states of south India, has its own cuisine. The main
dish of Andhra/Telugu cuisine is called "Koora" in Telugu, taken with hot rice and
ghee. It could be made of vegetable, combination of vegetables or meat and vegetable.
It could be wet (koora, pulusu or gojju) or dry (vaepudu). There are numerous types of
recipes with various combinations of spices and in various proportions.
The second course is any liquid/soup type taken with rice and ghee. It could be made
with just vegetables, “rasam”/”chaaru” or vegetable and dal, called pappu and sambar
or butter milk and vegetable, called “majjiga pulusu” and many more.
The last course is rice with either curd or buttermilk. It is believed that this soothes the
effect of spices and helps digestion. Hyderabad cuisine (a city in Andhra Pradesh) has
a direct influence from the kitchens of the Nizams, who were the rulers that settled in
Southern India in the early 18th century. The Hyderabadi cuisine is the amalgamation
of varied cooking techniques and meats, combined with vibrant spices and
ingredients. One of India's finest foods, the biryani or rice with meats and brinjal (or
eggplant) or baghare baiganis are originally the gems of Hyderabadi cooking.
Malayali curries of Kerala typically contain shredded coconut paste or coconut milk,
curry leaves, and various spices. Mustard seeds are used in almost every dish, along
with onions, curry leaves, sliced red chillies fried in hot oil. Rice is the staple food and
accompanies many of the foods that are served such as 'Appam, Masala dosa,
Idiyappam, parotta' puttu, iddali. The sadya is customarily served on a banana leaf.
Tamil cuisine's distinctive flavour and aroma is achieved by a blend and combination
of spices, including curry leaves, tamarind, coriander, ginger, garlic, chili, pepper,
cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, cumin, fennel or anise seeds, fenugreek seeds, nutmeg,
coconut, turmeric root or powder, and rosewater. Lentils, vegetables and dairy
products are essential accompaniments, and are often served with rice.
Assam/Nagaland
Rice is a part of all meals in Assam. The number of varieties of rice found in the
region has led to speculation that the grain was first domesticated in the AssamYunnan region. Fish is very important second only to rice in Assam and the most
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popular dish from Assam, the tenga, is an indispensable part of a proper meal. The
Assamese meat & fish dish is characterised by low amount of spices & oil, higher
quantity of ginger, norosingho paat (cury leaves) & lemon juice.
Naga cuisine, of Nagaland, is known for exotic meats but simple and flavourful
ingredients and use of mustard oil. The meat and fish used are often smoked, dried or
fermented. It is famous for use of dried bamboo shoots and for being the only state in
India for its consumption of Dog Meat. Zutho is a special rice beer.
Other North East Indian cuisines rarely experienced outside the sub-continent are
Arunachali, Manipuri, Meghalayan, Mizoram, Sikkamese and Tripuri.
Bangladesh
Bangladeshi food is best known for its rich, spicy flavours and alluring aroma. Dessert
recipes from Bangladesh are sweet and milky, an absolutely melt-in-your-mouth
experience. Bangladeshi cuisine has considerable regional variations. These include
lots of Bengali cuisine but are known more for their original spicyness compared to
Indian Bengali Cuisine. The heavy use of coconut milk is refined to the district of
Khulna and Kommilla. A staple across the country is rice and fish and the use of
mustard oil. Tea is grown in the hilly region around Sylhet and the drink is popular
throughout Bangladesh.
The most important spices in Bangladeshi cuisine are garlic, ginger, coriander, cumin,
turmeric and chilli. In sweet dishes, cardamom and cinnamon are amongst the natural
flavours. Hilsa, very tasty but full of small bones, is the most popular of all fish, and
is available in the rainy season.
Pakistan
A favourite Pakistani curry is Karahi, either mutton or chicken cooked in a dry sauce.
Lahori Karahi incorporates garlic, spices and vinegar. Peshawari karahi is a simple
dish made with just meat, salt, tomatoes and coriander. Specialties include Kababs,
Dhals, Quormah, Tikkas and Nihari.
Meat plays a more dominant role in Pakistani food, compared to other South Asian
cuisines the most popular being beef, goat, lamb, and chicken. Curries, with or
without meat, combined with local vegetables such as bitter gourd, cauliflower,
eggplant, okra, cabbage, potatoes, rutabaga, saag is one of the most common and
often cooked for everyday eating and drinking. Chili powder, turmeric, garlic,
paprika, cumin seed, bay leaf, coriander, cardamom, cloves, ginger and saffron are
amongst the many herbs and spices widely used.
Dips are very commonly used in Pakistan with every meal. The most popular types
are Raita and Chutneys. Raita is a soothing dip made of yogurt, whereas chutney is
hotter and spicer and is preferred by the more daring.
Nepal
Indian, Chinese and Tibetan flavours and aromas can easily be detected in Nepalese
meals. Whilst Nepalese cuisine is somewhat basic, it certainly does not lack in
flavour, making extensive use of spices and flavourings such as ginger, garlic,
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coriander, pepper, cumin, chilies, cilantro, mustard oil, ghee and occasionally yak
butter. The staple diet of Nepal's population is Dal (lentils), Bhat (rice) and Tarkari
(curried vegetables).
Newars are an ethnic group originally living in the Kathmandu Valley, now also in
bazaar towns elsewhere in the hills (Himalayan foothills, up to about 10,000'/3,000m)
with widespread use of water buffalo meat Regarded as Newari pizza, Chatamari is a
flat bread made from rice flour with or without toppings (meat, vegetables, eggs,
sugar). It is highly savoured by the tourists who consider it as a good and healthy
substitute to pizza.
Masu is spiced or curried meat (usually chicken, mutton, buffalo or pork) with gravy.
Served with rice, it is a main course dish, very popular in Nepal.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan cuisine mostly consists of rice and curry meals, and revolves heavily
around chillies, spices, vegetables, and seafood. The most famous dish is the coconut
sambol, made of ground coconut mixed with chillies, dried Maldive fish and lime
juice. This is ground to a paste and eaten with rice, as it gives zest to the meal and is
believed to increase appetite. Sri Lankans eat "mallung", chopped leaves mixed with
grated coconut and red onions. Coconut milk is found in most Sri Lankan dishes to
give the cuisine its unique flavour.
Sri Lankan food is generally spicy. There are 3 main types of curry: White, Red and
Black. White curries are, mild, based on coconut milk and are very liquid. Red curries
contain a large amount of chilli powder or ground red chillies with a few other spices.
Black curries are dark in colour which is achieved by the roasting of the spices until
they are a deep brown and are the most typical curries eaten in Sri Lanka.
Indonesia
In Indonesia, gulai and kari (North Sumatra) or kare(kare, a Javanese term for curry)
are based on curry. They are often highly localised and reflect the meat and vegetables
available. They can therefore employ a variety of meats (chicken, beef, water buffalo
and goat as in the flavoursome 'gulai kambing'), seafood (prawn, crab, mussel, clam,
squid etc), fish or vegetable dishes in a spiced sauce. They use local ingredients such
as chilli peppers, Kaffir lime leaves, lemon grass, galangal, Indonesian bay leaves or
salam leaves, candlenuts, turmeric, shrimp paste (terasi), cumin, coriander seed and
coconut milk. One popular curry is rendang from West Sumatran cuisine, not
Malaysia as is claimed in many British restaurants. Authentic rendang uses water
buffalo slow-cooked in thick coconut milk over a number of hours to tenderise and
flavour the meat. In Aceh, curries use daun salam koja or daun kari ('curry leaves').
Opor Ayam is another kind of curry.
Rendang is the most famous dish and is considered a "dry" curry, which means the
sauce is simmered down to a minimum. Typical Malaysian curry includes cumin,
coconut, coriander, fennel, red chillies, shrimp paste, turmeric, lemongrass, garlic,
onion, salt, and nuts. In Indonesia, curry paste is often made with coconut, soured
fish, limes, peanuts, onions, caraway, chillies, nutmeg, cloves, turmeric, ginger, and
poppy seeds.
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Malaysia
Being at the crossroad of ancient trade routes has left a unique mark on Malaysian
cuisine. Practically everything on the Asian menu can be found here, and the local
fare is also a reflection of its multi-cultural, multi-ethnic heritage. While curry may
have initially found its way to Malaysian shores via the Indian population, it has since
become a staple among the Malays and Chinese too. Malaysian curries differ from
state to state, even within similar ethnic groupings as they are influenced by the many
factors, be it cultural, religious, agricultural or economical.
Malaysian curries typically use curry powders rich in turmeric, coconut milk, shallots,
ginger, belacan (shrimp paste), chillies, and garlic. Tamarind is also often used.
Rendang is another form of curry consumed in Malaysia, although it is drier and
contains mostly meat and more coconut milk than a conventional Malaysian curry.
Rendang is originated from Sumatra and Indonesia but became very popular among
Malays in Malaysia and Singapore. All sorts of things are curried in Malaysia,
including goat, chicken, shrimp, cuttlefish, fish, fish head, aubergine, eggs, and mixed
vegetables. So rich and different are the flavours, that today Malaysian-themed
restaurants are mushrooming globally from Canada to Australia, and Malaysian curry
powders too are now much sought-after internationally.
One of the most popular kinds of food by the Indian Muslims is called "nasi
kandar"(white rice or biryani rice served with other dishes of curry either with
chicken, fish, beef, or mutton and usually with pickled vegetables too. It is usually
accompanied by some Papadums).
Thailand
In Thai cuisine, curries are meat, fish or vegetable dishes in a spiced sauce. They use
local ingredients such as chili peppers, kaffir lime leaves, lemon grass, galangal and
coconut milk, and tend to be more aromatic than Indian curries as a result. Curries are
often described by colour; red curries use red chillis while green curries use green
chillies. Yellow curries are more similar to Indian curries, with their use of turmeric
and cumin. Yellow curries in Thailand usually don't contain potatoes except in
southern style cooking, however, Thai restaurants abroad usually have them. Yellow
curry is also called gaeng curry (by various spellings), of which a word-for-word
translation would be "soup curry".
Thai curries include Yellow curry, Massaman curry, Gold curry, Green curry, Red
curry, Panang, Jungle curry, Khao soi. Curry Laksa: A noodle dish served in curry,
blends boiled chicken, cockles, tofu and bean sprouts for a surprisingly good treat.
Cambodia
Chicken Samla is one of the most popular dishes in Cambodia. It's a soupy curry that's
more aromatic and less spicy than curries found in other parts of Southeast Asia. It
uses a substantial amount of fresh ginger and lemongrass for flavour and fragrance.
Serve over rice to soak up the sauce. Other popular curries are Masaman Beef and
Cambodian Style pork and butternut squash curry.
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Curry paste is called kroeung and it is usually made from lemon grass, galangal,
rhizome, turmeric, zest of kaffir lime, garlic and shallot. These seven herbs are the
basis for almost every kroeung. Kroeung comes in three colours, green, yellow and
red, depending on ingredients used. Red kroeung receives its deep colour from a type
of chilli pod which contributes very little flavour to the Kroeung. The green kroeung
uses more leaf than stalk of the lemon grass, giving it the green colour. And the
yellow kroeung uses stalk of lemon grass only, it is the basis for a famous sour soup
Samla Machou Kroeung.
Burma(Myanmar)
If one were to cross Indian and Chinese food, and the result were successful, it would
describe Burmese curry with its many dimensions of flavour. Burmese Chicken Curry
is a Punjabi-style Chicken dish - but without tomatoes or peppers - but instead:
coconut milk and besan (gram flour) with a dash of Thai fish sauce at the finish.
China
Curry is frequently used in southern China to lend flavour to seafood, vegetable and
noodle dishes. Chinese curries are light and aromatic and typically consist of green
peppers, chicken, beef, fish, lamb, or other meats, onions, chunks of potatoes, and a
variety of other ingredients plus spices in a spicy yellow curry sauce, and topped over
steamed rice. White pepper, soy sauce, hot sauce, and/or hot chili oil may be applied
to the sauce to enhance the flavour of the curry.
The most common Chinese variety of curry sauce is usually sold in the powder form.
It seems to have derived from a Singaporean and Malaysian variety, countries which
also introduced the satay sauce to the Chinese.
Chinese curry is popular in North America, and there are many different varieties of
Chinese curry, depending on each restaurant. Unlike other Asian curries, which
usually have a thicker consistency, Chinese curry can often be watery in nature.
Japan
Japanese curry is one of the most popular dishes in Japan, where people eat it 62 times
a year according to a survey. It is usually thicker, sweeter, and not as hot as its Indian
equivalent. It is usually eaten as karē raisu — curry, rice and often pickled vegetables,
served on the same plate and eaten with a spoon, a common lunchtime canteen dish.
Curry was introduced to Japan by the British in the Meiji era (1869–1913). Kenjiro
Yamakawa was supposedly the first Japanese to be introduced to curry onboard a ship
to USA in 1871. Ginza Fugetsudo restaurant in 1877 listed curry & rice at “8 sen”
while noodles cost just “1 sen”. Its spread across the country is commonly attributed
to its use in the Japanese Army and Navy which adopted it extensively as convenient
field and naval canteen cooking, allowing even conscripts from the remotest
countryside to experience the dish.
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The recipe for curry & rice was said to be invented in 1912 featuring onions, carrots
and potatoes. Sometimes grated apples or honey are added for additional sweetness
and other vegetables are sometimes used instead. Japanese curry powder was
introduced in 1930.
Sometimes the curry-rice is topped with breaded pork cutlet (tonkatsu); this is called
Katsu-karē ("cutlet curry"). Korokke (potato croquettes) are also a common topping.
Apart from with rice, karē udon (thick noodles in curry flavoured soup) and karē-pan
("curry bread" — deep fried battered bread with curry in the middle) are also popular.
South Africa
South Africans – and especially those living in Durban – have a particular fondness
for curry, as the metropolis is home to the largest Indian population outside of India in
any city in the world.
The first Malay people in South Africa were brought as slaves from what is today
Indonesia. As a result of the influence of the Malay and West Asians from the Indian
sub-continent who came later, many curry (or kerrie) dishes are popular in South
Africa such as the Cape Malay Curry. The first group of Malaysian state prisoners
landed on the shores of South Africa from Java and the neighbouring Indonesian
islands in the late 1600's. Many more followed in the years 1727 until 1749. Not only
did this proud and attractive people bring with them the Moslem faith and fine
architecture, they also brought with them a unique cookery style, introducing exciting
mixtures of pungent spices that has had a heady influence on traditional South African
cuisine. Indeed, the Malay-Portuguese words such as bobotie (a curried ground beef
and egg custard dish), sosatie (kebabs marinated in a curry mixture) and bredie
(slowly cooked stews rich in meat, tomatoes and spices) are integral in their cookery
vocabulary.
There is some discussion as to the origin of the popular street food called bunny chow
which broadly consists of curry ladled into a scooped-out loaf of bread.
A theory is that bunny chows originated as a means for the (mostly Indian) labourers
to take lunch onto the sugar cane plantations of Kwa-Zulu Natal in the days before
disposable containers. Legend also has it that the simple recipe was invented as a
response to apartheid. During racial segregation in South Africa, seats in Durban’s
curry houses were reserved for white people. Hungry customers of other races were
largely forced into getting take-outs. And so the bunny chow was born. It was easy to
take away and even easier to eat just with the hands. Still others maintain that it was a
South African family of Indian origin, the Bhanias, who invented the bunny chow. It
is said the way the food was served, right there on the putting green, eliminated the
golfers’ need for knives and forks and still satisfied their appetite for good curry. The
meal became known, as “Bhania chow,” which later became “bunny chow,” as this
was “easier to pronounce.” Take your choice.
The curry used in a bunny chow varies according to taste - chicken, lamb, beef or
vegetable are all popular, and the level of heat varies (beware - Durbanites like theirs
HOT!). The bread component of a bunny chow may be a whole, half or quarter white
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loaf, and the scooped out centre (known as the virgin) is replaced on top of the curry
before serving. The virgin is then dipped into the gravy and eaten as an appetiser –
the ultimate street food. Bobotie with yellow rice is one of the most famous Cape
Dutch dishes. It originates from the 17th century, when the Dutch used the Cape
Colony in South Africa as a halfway station to the richer colonies in Asia.
Caribbean:
Hindus came from India in the nineteenth century bringing their own curry to add to
the spicy cuisine originally brought to the Caribbean by the Arawaks.
Pork Colombo is a Creole curry from Martinique and Guadeloupe. Its origins lie with
the Sri Lankans, who were taken to the French West Indies to work on the sugar
plantations and brought curry powder with them. On the islands, "Colombo'' is now a
general term for a curried meat or seafood stew.
The many spices used in Caribbean cooking include bay leaves, chillies, cinnamon
bark, garlic, ginger, lemon, mace, nutmeg, onion, oregano, pimento, scotch bonnet
peppers, sugar, thyme, coconut, lime, tamarind, and vanilla. Goat meat is very popular
throughout the Caribbean and particularly in Jamaica and curry goat may be the most
common method of preparation. Goat is quite delicious; it has a flavour similar to
lamb, but is considerably milder. Grace brand and Jamaican Country Style are two
prepared local curry blends that work well and are tasty.
Ethiopia:
Ethiopian Food is similar to Indian food in many ways - specially their split lentil dish
which is similar to Dal Curry or Parippu Curry and their Chicken and Beef Entrees
which are similar to Keralan cuisine’s Chicken Roast and Beef Ularthiyathu
respectively. They have an appetizer called Sambosa which is similar to the Indian
Samosa. You can either choose a beef or lentil filling.
Doro Wat is a thick, heavily spiced stew with chicken pieces and a boiled egg. Wat is
virtually the Ethiopian version of an Indian curry and can be based on any vegetables
or meat except pork. Berbère is the traditional Ethiopian seasoning for lentils and
beans & is excellent for flavouring meats. Used as a dry rub or mixed with a little
water to make into a curry paste. It is great as a seasoning for vegetables, whole
grains, legumes & sauces.
East Africa:
Whilst curry can be found all over Africa, its popularity is particularly notable in East
Africa where the British and the Indians both brought their foods with them, like
Indian spiced vegetable curries, lentil soups, chapattis and a variety of pickles. Just
before the British and the Indians, the Portuguese had introduced techniques of
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roasting and marinating, and also use of spices, turning the quite bland diet into
aromatic stewed dishes. The Portuguese also brought from their Asian colonies fruits
like the orange, lemon and lime. From their colonies in the New World, Portuguese
brought exotic items like chilies, peppers, maize, tomatoes, pineapple, bananas, and
the domestic pig – now, all common elements of East African food. With the
combined British, Indian & Portuguese influences, East African curry dishes can often
be quite hot with highly enjoyable layers of taste.
Germany:
The "currywurst museum", which opened in 2009, celebrates the iconic dish,
nicknamed the "poor man's steak", 800 million of which are consumed every year in
Germany -- a staggering 1,500 sausages per minute.
Despite its name, it is not actually the sausage that is curried. The secret of
currywurst's acquired taste stems from the sauce -- a simple but unforgettable melange
of pureed tomato sprinkled with curry powder.
Former US president George W. Bush reputedly once turned up his nose at it, but
currywurst was ex-chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's favourite dish and Volkswagen
sells more currywurst in its canteens than it does Golf cars so we are told.
Currywurst has been a firm favourite in Germany for 60 years although there are
doubts about its origins. The curry and tomato sauce-flavoured sausage is its most
celebrated snack supposedly from Berlin. Berliners insist a bored sausage seller, Herta
Heuwer, created the currywurst on a drizzly September 4, 1949, less than four months
after the end of the Western Allies' Berlin Airlift.
Lacking clients, so the story goes, Heuwer mixed up a dash of American ketchup, a
pinch of British curry sauce, a few spices and a drop of Worcester sauce and hey
presto: currywurst sauce was born.
Recently Hamburg claimed currywurst for their own, with the Currywurst Club
Hamburg even going so far as to accuse Berlin of re-writing the history books..
Nearly a billion currywurst are believed to be consumed in Germany every year. A
new study suggests that 80% of Germans regard the Currywurst as central to their
diet.
Australia :
Modern Australian cuisines have been heavily influenced by its Asian and South-East
Asian neighbours, particularly Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese, and by the
many waves of immigrants from there, and all parts of the world. Curry is
increasingly popular in Australia partly due to Indian immigration and partly to the
demands of the British ex pat community.
Recently, Michael Nash, Hobart’s leading marine heritage expert, traced Australia’s
trade with India back to 1791, when a government store ship, Sydney Cove, was sent
to Calcutta in British India for additional food supplies. While returning with a cargo
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including rice, sugar, tobacco, salted meat, soap, candles, textiles, leather wear and
livestock, the ship sank off the coast of Tasmania in 1797
India is always considered to be the home of curry (the dish) even though England
may have supplied the name (cury as in Forme of Cury from French cuire – to cook).
However, curry as we know it today, nearly always includes chilli and tomatoes and
neither were known in the sub-continent 400 years ago. It is a cuisine that welcomes
adaptation and innovation and, as such, has been influenced by other cuisines and
cultures all over the world to the great benefit of the international curry lover and thus
may be considered as the first truly global cuisine.
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Appendix 9
COMPENDIUM OF FOOD TERMS
INDIAN
Avial :
Name Origins : South India
History : According to legend, a 16th century king ordered his kitchen to provide a
feast for subjects for 30 days – stocks only being held for 29 of them. On the 30th day
the chef realised the oil was gone except a few drops and only bits and pieces of
vegetables were left from which he created avial. Avial is an essential part of the
Onasadhya. A Sadhya is a big feast and could be associated with festivals like Onam,
marriages ,birthdays and the like.
Preparation : Avial is an important dish of Keralan Cuisine. Avial is a semi dry
preparation of all sorts of vegetables. The vegetables that can be used for avial include
beans, carrots, drumsticks, peas, yams, gourds, pumpkins and what-not? Other main
ingredients to flavour and season this avial are coconut paste, curry leaves and
coconut oil which give a very unique aroma to this dish. The uniqueness of avial is
that this tasty dish is usually made of all the leftover vegetables.
Balti
Name Origins : According to Hobson Jobson the
word derives from ‘balte’ the Hindi word for pail or bucket (for slops, water or
‘unsavoury’ matter) which is the same as the Portuguese and Spanish word ‘balte’ for
pail or bucket. Others say it derives from Baltistan, a remote area in Kasmiri Pakistan
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and that it is named after the thick flat-bottomed steel or iron pot in which it is both
cooked and served.
History : Balti is another of those British Indian dishes with an almost legendary,
unproven background. Despite the very interesting ideas of many pundits, there is no
evidence it is a highly developed cuisine from either Baltistan or from Mirpur in
Northern Pakistan. The name 'Balti' for food has nothing to do with an ethnic group
living in India and Pakistan who are also called Balti. These Balti people are Tibetan
Muslims. Balti staple cusine includes Cha-phe (Tsampa), Ladakhi salt tea (Balti Cha),
Marzan (cooked dough and yak butter); Thsodma (greens) and Chuli-Chhu (apricot
juice). Cereals are planted in late spring and at lands with elevations not above
2,500m, particularly along the Indus (Sengge Chhu) and Shyok River.
It is more likely that the Balti as a style of food originated in the Sparkhill area of
Birmingham in the late 1960's and grew to prominence in the 1970s One Dr. M.A.
Qureshi is often credited as the pioneer of balti dishes in UK and claims (without any
known supporting evidence) that the Balti was originated by Indian soldiers who wore
tin hats in the WW1 and would heat whatever food was available on the move in the
cup-shaped headgear. As far back as the early 1960s, Dr. Qureshi owned a coffee
house on Cleveland Road in Balsall Heath Birmingham, which had a loyal following
of his countrymen ready to try his original and authentic dishes and take cooking
lessons at his house on Court Road Balsall Heath. It is possible that many of the
contemporary establishments were influenced by him.
Loyd Grossman, under whose name a line of British curry sauces is marketed, claims
on his Balti sauce jar that the term comes from a word for "hubcap," since Indian
truckers would cook their Balti in a hubcap – this also seems to be unverified.
Preparation : Balti is somewhat similar to the Punjabi karahi except for the inclusion
of onions. Balti involves the fast cooking of marinated meat and spices over a high
flame. Vegetables, such as spinach, potato, mushroom or aubergine may be added to
chicken, beef, fish or prawns. Vegetarian versions of Balti are also prepared. The
cooking and serving method ensures that the flavours of all the spices are retained.
Normally the balti is served with large naan bread; pieces of which are torn off by
hand and used to scoop up the hot curry sauce from the pot. Side dishes and starters
usually include onion bhajis, samosas, poppadums and creamy dips.
Restaurant : Balti is entirely a restaurant-created dish and the restaurant experience
varies from the often serious offerings in the restaurants of Birmingham’s Balti
Triangle to others all over UK who do not appear to know just what a balti is meant to
be. As with Chicken Tikka Masala, Balti would have been unrecognisable in the
Indian sub-continent until re-introduced from Britain
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Bhuna
Name Origins : From Urdu bhunna 'to be fried' The act of browning - a cooking process where spices are gently fried in oil to bring
out their flavour.
History : Introduced after 1869 when Bombay became the Gateway to India and Suez
was opened bringing in the Chinese, woks and stir fry. When the Nawabs were exiled
to Bengal, their royal cooks and Masalchi influenced the creation of Bhuna.
Preparation : Bhuna means ‘dry cooking’ in a little oil and own juices and is
excellent for rolling into wraps or bread. Similar to French ‘reduction’ – often needing
to keep a cup of water to hand in case of scorching. The dish "bhuna" is fried for a
long time with ground and whole spices over high heat and is an extension of that
process where meat is added to the spices and then cooked in its own juices which
results in deep strong flavours but very little sauce. This style of cooking gives a
wonderfully rich and aromatic flavour to a dish.
Restaurant : The restaurant bhuna is a well spiced curry with a thick sauce. It is often
garnished with fried green peppers and shredded onions, usually medium hot. A
combination of onion, garlic, ginger and spices fried together in a shallow pan until
golden brown to fully release their flavours. These are stirred constantly to prevent
any burning or sticking. Bhuna dishes like chicken bhuna, lamb bhuna and vegetable
bhuna are very popular in Anglo-Indian cuisine.
Biryani
Name Origins : The name is derived from the
Persian (Farsi) word beryā(n) which means "fried" or "roasted". .
History : One legend has it that Timor, the lame, brought it down from Kazakhstan
via Afghanistan to Northern India. According to another legend, Mumtaz Mahal (she
who sleeps in Taj Mahal) concocted this dish as a "complete meal" to feed the army.
Yet others say the dish really originated in West Asia. The Nomads would bury an
earthen pot full of meat, rice and spices in a pit, eventually the pot was dug up and
there was the Biryani.
Most likely it is a combination of all these and the Biryani was developed as a way of
providing quick nourishment to the troops. Biryani, a mainly North Indian dish, was
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brought to Hyderabad by the invading Mughal army of Aurangazeb under the
command of Khaja Abid, the father of the first Nizam of Hyderabad. Apparently,
Biryani was meant to be a sort of ready-to-eat food for the soldiers during time of war.
During the Mogul empire, Lucknow was known as Awadh, giving rise to Awadhi
Biryani. In 1856, the British deposed Nawab Wajid Ali Shah in Calcutta, giving rise
to Calcutta Biryani. Aurangzeb installed Nizam-ul-mulk as the Asfa Jahi ruler of
Hyderabad, as well as a 'Nawab of Arcot' to oversee Aaru Kaadu region south of
Hyderabad. These moves gave rise to Hyderabadi Biryani and Arcot Biryani. The
Biryani spread to Mysore by Tipu Sultan of Carnatic. Needless to say it was a royal
dish for Nawabs and Nizams. They hired vegetarian Hindus as bookkeepers leading to
the development of Tahiri Biryani.
Historians claim that the earlier Nawabs of Punjab wore a matching turban for each
variety of biryani. The Nizam's kitchen boasted 49 kinds, which included biryanis
made from fish, quail, shrimp, deer and hare.
Preparation : In an earthen pot called a Haandi, the rice and meat are layered,
bottom and top layer are always rice and cooked dum style. Traditionally, the leg of
goat was used to make Biryani. There up to 49 different varieties of biryani in the subcontinent 26 of which are found regularly.
The Sindhi variant of biryani is very popular in Pakistani cuisine and biryanis of all
types are eaten in all parts of Pakistan. Another popular form of biryani is the Awadhi
biryani. Malabar chicken biryani is very popular in Kerala.
Tehri is the name given to the vegetarian version of the dish and is very popular in
Indian and Pakistani homes. In Bangladesh, Tehri refers to Biryani prepared by
adding the meat to the rice, as opposed to traditional Biryani where the rice is added
to the meat. Kacchi biryani is prepared with raw meat, which is marinated in curd and
then cooked along with the rice by sealing the haandi (vessel) with a layer of dough,
and is cooked on dum - steaming over coal, or the baking process. .
The accompanying sauce is redolent of mace, ittar and kewra. Saffron and cardamom
are also used. In the Indian restaurant, however, all the dishes are made to order and
the chef has to find a way of preparing the biryani in a short space of time. So the
restaurant biryani is often just pilau rice stir fried with chicken or lamb which has
been cooked as an extra dry bhuna.
Restaurants : Many restaurant biryanis are mild and usually garnished with almonds
and sultanas and accompanied by a mixed vegetable curry to add a little juiciness to
the rice.
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Breads :
Chapatti(Chapati) – Chapati historically is mentioned in Ain-i-Akbari , a 16th
century document, by Mughal Emperor, Akbar’s vizier, Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak
Chapatis are made from a dough consisting of atta flour (whole grain durum wheat),
water, and salt. The dough is rolled out into discs of approximately 14 cm in diameter
with a rolling pin. It is then heated on both sides on a very hot, dry tawa or frying pan
Often, the finished chapatis are smeared with ghee (clarified butter). Phulka are small
chapattis; roti are chapattis prepared with maize flour.
In Gujarat, chapatis which are toasted so that they are crisp are known as khakra.
Khakra may be spread with chutney and other ingredients, and is a popular breakfast
food. Puris, or pooris, are chapatis fried in oil so that they are crispy, and puris often
form large bubbles as well. Since they are fried, puris should be eaten hot
Paratha - Parathas originated in Peshawar and then spread all over the former
northern parts of India.
A specially prepared thick, unleavened bread made with wheat flour and home made
ghee. Butter is also used as an alternative. It is normally shallow fried on a ‘tawa’, a
thick, cast iron skillet. There are many different varieties of paratha served in UK
Indian restaurants. Lacha paratha is a layered plain paratha that is crispier and flakier.
You can have paratha’s stuffed with potatoes, vegetables, keema (minced lamb), eggs
or any other stuffing that you prefer. In Northern India, paratha’s are eaten at
breakfast with pickle, home made ghee or a saag made from green mustard leaves.
Naan : Hindi nān, bread, from Farsi, ultimately from Old Persian nagna. The first
recorded mention of naan can be found in the notes of Amir Khusrau (1300 AD) as
naan-e-tunuk (light bread) and naan-e-tanuri (cooked in a tandoor oven) at the
imperial court in Delhi. The word is believed to have originated in Central Asia within
the Persian speaking nations of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Tajikistan, the
word naan literally meaning "bread." Naan is cooked in a tandoor, or clay oven
stuffed with a filling: for example, keema naan is stuffed with a minced meat mixture
(usually lamb or mutton); Another variation is peshwari or peshawari naan.
Peshawari naan and Kashmiri naan are filled with a mixture of nuts and raisins; aloo
naan is stuffed with potatoes. A typical naan recipe involves mixing white flour with
salt, a yeast culture, and enough yoghurt to make a smooth, elastic dough.
Poppadom(pappadam – South India) : From Tamil pappaṭam. Made from lentil,
chickpea, black gram or rice flour. The dough is shaped into a thin, round flat bread
and then dried (traditionally in the sun) and can be cooked by deep-frying, roasting
over an open flame, and toasting.
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In Bengali cuisine poppadoms are served after the main course but in Britain they are
served as an appetiser. The average British restaurant curry fan consumes one and a
half poppadoms per meal.
Luchi : A deep-fried, crisp, fluffy flatbread made of wheat flour that is typical of
Bengali cuisine. In order to make luchis, a dough is prepared by mixing fine maida
flour with water and a spoonful of ghee, which is then divided into small balls. These
balls are flattened and individually deep-fried in cooking oil or ghee. A typical luchi
will measure 4-5 inches in diameter. A luchi that is stuffed is called kochuri; kochuri
stuffed with mashed peas (koraishutir kochuri) is one notable variety.
Kulcha : A north Indian Punjabi bread, usually eaten with chole. It is typically made
with Maida flour. Amritsar is well known for its Amritsari kulchas more than any
other city in the state. Flour dough, mashed potatoes, onion (optional) and lots of
spices are rolled into a flat round bread and baked in an earthen clay oven. After it is
golden brown it is rubbed with butter and then eaten with spicy chole (chickpea
curry).
Cafreal :
Name Origins : Goa via Africa
History : Chicken Cafreal, originated as Galinha (Frango) Piri-piri, a grilled bush
dish from Mozambique. When the Portuguese came into contact with this, several
changes were made to the dish when it was brought to another Portuguese colony,
Goa. It is claimed to be named after the African soldiers or Kaffirs in Mozambique.
Tikka of chicken marinated the Goan, Portuguese way redolent with the flavours of
garlic, lime juice with fresh coriander and mint amongst others and olive oil. The
classical Cafreal was simply crumbled garlic with olive oil and lots of lime juice. The
Goan version naturally had to add fresh green chilli and coriander to it as well.
Preparation - Today, the dish is made by marinating pieces of chicken in a paste
made of spices, chilies, garlic and ginger and lemon juice and then deep-fried or
shallow fries till dry. The result is rather dry, but spicy dish. This is the equivalent of
Portuguese-style grilled chicken and the sauce it is marinated in tastes a lot like the
famous Portuguese Peri-peri sauce.
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Chettinad :
Name Origins : Chettinad is a region of
the Sivaganga district of southern Tamil Nadu state.
History : Based on a community of bankers and businessmen (Chettiars) who
travelled to China and elsewhere. In 1077 the Chola King Kulottunja sent an embassy
of 72 merchants to the Chinese court, hence the introduction of star anise. The cuisine
had its origin in a small village called Nedungudi, about 600 km south of Chennai.
Preparation : The dishes are hot and pungent with fresh ground masalas, and often
topped with a boiled egg. Poppy seeds, coconut, fennel seeds, cinnamon, cardamom,
cloves, turmeric powder, garam masala, onion, ginger, garlic, star anise, red chilli
powder, tomatoes, curry leaves, coriander. Chicken Chettinad, Pepper Chicken, Fish
Varuval etc.
Restaurants : One of the newer, regional dishes that are increasingly popular in the
more adventurous restaurants in Britain for those with a spicier palate.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Name Origins : Unconfirmed. Probably of
British/Bangladeshi origin and was, until recently, unknown in India. CTM used as an
abbreviated version first coined by food writer Colleen Grove in ‘Spice N’Easy’
Magazine.
History - Chicken Tikka Masala was most certainly invented in Britain, probably by a
Bangaldeshi chef, and is so popular it is even being served in some hotel restaurants
in India and Bangladesh.
The tandoor, which boosted tikka sales, was introduced by Moti Mahal in New Delhi
in 1948. In fact this can be seen as the birth of CTM in its original form of Butter
Chicken. Lala Kundan Lal Gujral first set up in Peshawar in 1920 but came to Delhi
in 1947 to set up Moti Mahal. He worked with a local man to produce the first
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restaurant version of the tandoor and invented tandoori spice mix for tandoori chicken
-ground coriander seeds, black pepper and mild red pepper. Called Murg Makhani in
Hindi, Butter Chicken originated in the 1950s at the Moti Mahal restaurant in Old
Delhi. Famed for its Tandoori Chicken, the cooks there used to recycle the leftover
chicken juices in the marinade trays by adding butter and tomato. This sauce was then
tossed around with the tandoor-cooked chicken pieces and presto - Butter Chicken
was ready! The leftover dish appealed to Delhites and was quickly lapped up by the
rest of the world.
Top restaurateur Amin Ali, owner of The Red Fort and Soho Spice in London’s Soho
remembers serving CTM when he first arrived in London in 1974. A lowly waiter at
the time he remembers wondering just what the dish was.
Top food writer Charles Campion refers to CTM as “a dish invented in London in
the Seventies so that the ignorant could have gravy with their chicken tikka”. Several
chefs have made claim to the invention of CTM but none with any evidence or
witness support so the mystery will have to remain. The descendents of Sultan
Ahmed Ansari, who owned the Taj Mahal in Glasgow claim he invented it in the late
1950s
The cross-cultural popularity of the dish in the United Kingdom led former Labour
foreign secretary Robin Cook to proclaim it as "Britain's true national dish".[
Urban legend has it that chicken tikka masala was actually created in the U K in the
1960s when a diner in a restaurant demanded some spicy gravy on the dry chicken
dish served to him. The chef was at his wits end and improvised by adding a tin of
Campbell's tomato soup, yogurt and some spices to the dry chicken dish. This was
relished by the diner who enjoyed it and the first chicken tikka masala was born.
Preparation - The perfect chicken tikka masala should be rich and creamy in a lush
red sauce with a hint of coconut, the meat should be tender and slightly smoky from
the tandoor with beautiful aromas coming from the dish. There is no definitive recipe
for chicken tikka masala and is very much a case of personal preference.
Restaurant – The chicken tikka masala experience can vary in heat, colour and even
texture depending on the chef. The colour can be radioactive red, to a quieter red,
brown and even green. It is normally quite a mild, creamy dish but some chefs like to
introduce a chilli tang. It remains the most popular single dish requested in Indian
restaurants accounting for up to 15% of all orders.
Dhansak :
Name Origins : Dhansak is a Parsi dish
traditionally served on Sundays and very popular with the Parsi community around
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Mumbai. It is a hot, sweet and sour dish offered at feasts and made of mutton, lentils,
vegetables, spices, cumin seeds, ginger, garlic etc. Dhan means grain or rice and sak
means vegetables.
History : In order to escape persecution at the hands of the Muslims in Iran, a small
group of Zoroastrians left their ancestral town of Paras and set sail for India. Known
as Parsis, according to legend, this group on reaching Sanjan, on the Gujarat coast,
asked the local king Jadi Rana, for asylum. Before getting permission, they were
asked to prove how they wouldn’t be a burden on the local people. The leader of the
group stirred some sugar into a bowl of milk which was filled to the brim. When the
sugar dissolved, the priest told the Rana, “The bowl of milk represents your people,
the sugar represents us. Just like the sugar gets absorbed in the milk and sweetens it
without spilling, we, too, will assimilate with your people and sweeten their life
without disturbing it.”
The Rana was taken aback with the Parsi’s reply. He gave them asylum but laid down
five conditions. These were:
*
The esoteric and exoteric doctrines and practices of the religion should be
explained.
*
They should forsake their native language for the local one. Hence, their
mother tongue is Gujarati.
*
Parsi women would only wear what the local women wore. Parsi women wear
sarees, wrapped in the Gujarati style even today.
*
Eating beef would not be permitted. Most Parsis do not eat beef even today.
*
They would not convert the locals to the Zoroastrian faith and perform their
religious ceremonies where the local population couldn’t witness it.
Preparation : Dhansak is one of the most popular dishes in UK and offers a
wonderful mix of textures and flavours. When made by a Parsi chef and offered, as is
traditional, with Brown Rice and Kachumbar salad it is one of the most exciting
dishes on the menu. The meat is traditionally mutton and there are different types of
lentils such as masoor, or mung, urad and toovar dhal. The sweetness comes from red
pumpkin and the sourness from fresh dill. Other ingredients include aubergine,
fenugreek, onions, cloves, Kashmiri red chilli powder, turmeric and tamarind pulp.
Restaurant : Chicken Dhansak is the most famous version in most restaurants and is
usually not served with brown rice or salad but conventional rice and side dishes. The
dish served in Indian restaurants today is based on the addition of a lentil puree to the
cooking process. It is described as a sweet and sour curry with a lentil sauce. The
serving varies from restaurant to restaurant, but often expect a pineapple ring or some
other fruit to be included in the curry for added sweetness plus sugar and very rarely
will you find the required red pumpkin.
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Dopiaza
Dopiaza (Dupiaza) . The name Dopiaza is from
the Hindi for two, do, and onions, piaz The name means double or twice onions and
hence is somewhat confusing. Some chefs take the meaning to be double onions
compared with meat and others, twice onions’ with onions added at two different
stages both fried and boiled. Very popular in Hyderabad and Andrah Pradesh.
History :
Legend has it that Mullah Do Paiza, a courtier and advisor of Mugal Emperor Akbar,
discovered this dish when accidentally doubling the amount of onion in the dish he
was cooking. One of the Navratans (nine jewels) of the Court, it is said he could
“conjure up culinary delights using only two onions”.
Preparation :
Usually contains one large onion or two medium plus garlic, yoghurt, turmeric, red
chilli powder, cumin coriander, bay plus cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and
peppercorns for the garam masala. No water is used in cooking this dish and it is
usually of medium heat with a thickish sauce.
Restaurant :
Most restaurant versions of the dish today, fry small pieces of sliced onions first in a
thick curry sauce with green peppers and chopped tomatoes and then add larger
chunks of onions towards the end of the cooking. With the less subtle versions you
can find chunks of raw onion added to the dish before presentation.
Dum Pukht :
Name Origins : Dumpukht is derived from
Persian meaning 'air-cooked' or 'baked. "DUM" means to "breathe in" and "PUKHT"
means "to cook".
History : This is a slow-cooking method dating back to early sixteenth century and
used in Akbar’s kitchens and first mention in writing in 1590 according to Hobson
Jobson.
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Dum cooking was introduced to India by the Mughals. The cuisine was popular at the
time of Nawab Asaf-ud-Daulah, the erstwhile ruler of the State of Awadh. The State
was hit by a famine and unemployment was high. Nawab Asaf-ud-Daulah decreed the
never ending construction of a giant edifice, the Bara Imambara, creating unceasing
employment. By royal decree too, arrangements were made to provide
food. Enormous containers were filled with rice, meat, vegetables and spices, and
sealed. Hot charcoal was placed on top and fires lit beneath, while slow cooking
ensured food was available day or night. The result was extraordinary, for when the
containers were unsealed; the splendid aromas attracted even the royal attention. The
"dummed" cuisine was then perfected for the royal table. Exotic dishes were evolved,
in which flavours and fragrances intermingled, with exquisite results.
Preparation : Slow Oven means cooking on very low flame, mostly in sealed
containers, allowing the meats to cook, as far as possible, in their own juices and
bone-marrow. Less spices are used than in traditional Indian cooking, with fresh
spices and herbs for flavouring. In some cases, cooking dough is spread over the
container, like a lid, to seal the foods. Its famous recipes include Dum Chicken
Biryani, Hyderabadi Mutton Biryani, Nihari Gosht, Dal Bukhara, Mirch ka Salan, etc.
This cuisine is popular in Pakistan, Punjab, Kashmir and UP in India.
Garam Masala
Name Origins : Urdu - a basic blend of ground spices to be used alone or with other
seasonings. The contents of garam masala varies region by region and even by town
or village. Some of the best known are :
Punjabi Masala – toasts whole spices and grinds coriander seeds, bay leaves, cumin
seeds, cloves, cardamom seeds, black peppercorns and cinnamon sticks.
Bangala Masala – not toasted, cloves, cardamom seeds, cinnamon sticks.
Rajasthani Masala – finishing spice, black peppercorns, black cumin seeds, cloves,
cardamom seeds, bay leaves, mint leaves, Kashmiri chile, ground ginger, ground
nutmeg, ground mace, ground cinnamon.
Maharashtrian Masala – raw peanuts, white sesame seeds, coriander seeds, cumin
seeds, Thai chiles, nutmeg, mace, unsweetened coconut.
Kashmiri Masala – cumin seeds, cinnamon sticks, fennel seeds, black peppercorns,
ground ginger, black cumin seeds, cloves, ground nutmeg, mace, black cardamom
pods.
Balti Masala – fennel seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, cloves,
cardamom seeds, nigella seeds, bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, cayenne, nutmeg.
Kolhapuri Masala – red Thai chiles, unsweetened coconut, white sesame seeds,
coriander seeds, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds,
mace, bay leaves, oil, ground Kashmiri chiles.
Sambhar Masala – curry leaves, red Thai chiles, chana dal, coriander seeds, cumin
seeds, fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds, white poppy seeds, cinnamon sticks, sesame
oil.
Chaat Masala – cumin seeds, dried pomegranate seeds, black peppercorns, mango
powder, black salt, sea salt.
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Haandi: Name Origins : Unknown
History – Originated in Lahore in Pakistan. Supposedly introduced to UK by
Manzoor Ahmed of Tabaq Restaurant in London(now closed). Haandi is an Indian pot
that has a bottom like a wok and then has a narrow opening on the top. Slow cooking
in steam or in seasoned moist flavourings are its special attributes. The cooking is
done in a thick bottomed pan so that the food does not stick or burn; the lid helps
retain the aroma and flavour. Both bhunao and dum are aspects of Haandi cooking.
Jardaloo :
Name Origins – Parsee(apricot)
History - A Parsee celebration dish with lamb or chicken cooked with Hunza or
Afghan apricots, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, red chilli powder, cumin, wine
vinegar, sugar, pepper and garam masa
Jalfrezi
Name Origins: (many alternative spellings
such as jhal frezi, zalfrezi) The name is said to come indirectly from Bengali jhāl,
spicy food, and Urdu parhezī, suitable for a diet. Rather than originating as the name
of a dish, it is actually a style of cooking.
History : Said to have originated in Pakistan or Eastern India perhaps encouraged by
non Indians based on the Chinese stir fry style of cooking . The literal meaning of the
word Jalfrezi is “hot-fry” and entered the English language at the time of the British
Raj in India. Colonial households employed Indian cooks who would use the jalfrezi
method of cooking to heat up cold roasted meat and potatoes.
Preparation : Marinated pieces of meat or vegetables are stir fried in oil and spices to
produce a dry, thick sauce. It is cooked with green chillies, with the result that a
jalfrezi can range in heat from a medium dish to a very hot one. Other main
ingredients include peppers, onion and tomato.
Restaurant : Jalfrezi has become one of the standard curry house dishes in Indian and
Bangladeshi restaurants in UK slotting in in spice heat terms, between Madras and
Vindaloo.
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Karahi
Name Origins : The actual meaning of korai, karai or karahi is an Indian cooking pot
made from cast iron, very similar to a wok. Origins are from the Pakistani Frontier
region. Karahi is the 'Urdu' word for the pan in which this dish, with fresh garlic,
ginger, tomatoes, onions, chillies and coriander is prepared.
History : A Karahi (karai) is a type of thick, circular, and deep vessel (similar in
shape to a Chinese Wok) used in Pakistani and Indian cooking. Karahi are
traditionally made out of cast iron. Karahi or .kadai (also spelled "kadhi," "kadahi," or
"kadhai") is a kind of dish cooked in a Karahi. Dishes in India are often presented
"kadai fresh," like Kadai Chicken, and Kadai Paneer, where the dish is served with a
miniature kadai and hot coals underneath it to give the impression of being hot from
the stove.
Preparation : Karahi is a stir fry dish with similarities to balti. Both meat and
vegetarian versions are popular and ingredients vary considerably according to the
cook.
Restaurants : Karahi has been a popular dish with many diners since its introduction
onto the menu’s of Indian restaurants long before a balti was ever thought of. A dish
with large pieces of onion, capsicums and tomatoes with herbs and spices, often
served in a sizzling karahi at the table. Chicken, lamb or king prawns are usually the
preferred meat used to cook the karahi but vegetable karahi’s are also very popular.
Kedgeree
Name Origins : A dish consisting of flaked fish,
usually smoked haddock but sometimes salmon, boiled rice, eggs and butter. Said to
be adapted from Indian dish Kichri or Kichdi, a popular comfort food.
History : The Scottish Kitchen by Christopher Trotter has traced the origins for the
kedgeree recipe to books by the Malcolms dating back to the year 1790 and many
suggest Scottish troops during the Raj introduced the dish into India where it was
adapted by local chefs. The Indian dish Kichri or Kichari existed well before this (first
mentioned in 1340) so whether they introduced it to the Scots or the other way round
is impossible to say. In Victorian times kedgeree was a typical breakfast dish in
Britain.
Preparation : Most recipes now contain light curry powder and or turmeric,
coriander leaves (cilantro) or parsley to accompany the rice, boiled egg, butter,
peppercorns, small onion, bay leaf and haddock. Sometimes cream or yogurt are
stirred into the rice after cooking to make the dish richer.
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Restaurants : Raj dishes such as mulligatawny and kedgeree are rarely found in
Indian restaurants in Britain (with some very tasty exceptions) and tend to be
produced more in the home
Korma
Name Origins : Hindi & Urdu gormā, of
Turkic origin; akin to Turkish kavurma fried meat, from kavur- to fry, roast.
History : A Muslim court dish originated in 16th-19 century from Persia. Emperor
Shahjehan used to have all white banquets on full moon nights at the Agra Fort. –
white carpets, cushions and flowers with guests in white and white food. Shahi
(Royal) Korma is said to have been perfected for the mainly toothless Nawabs of
Oudh in Lucknow.
Preparation : Korma is a greatly mis-understood curry. Korma is "slow cooking or
braising" rather than meaning a mild curry as it has become accepted in Britain. It can
be very mild or rather fiery depending on which part of the country the recipe
originated. Northern kormas generally have rich ingredients like saffron, nuts, nut
pastes, khoya (full fat dried milk), cream etc.
Moglai korma originates from the north of India, and is cooked with almonds,
cashews, yoghurt in a creamy base, and with cardamoms and saffron to give it added
flavour and aroma.
Kashmir Korma originates from the Kashmir region of Pakistan/India, and uses all the
same ingredients as the Moglai Korma but with dried fruits also being used in the
cooking proccess .
The South Indian korma is quite different to the Moglai and Kashmir korma as fresh
coconut or coconut milk is added along with fennel seeds, and unlike the other kormas
this one is slightly spicier as cayenne powder is added.
A Korma (quorma, qorma) is a very popular dish throughout India and even Pakistan
and Afghanistan and varies from mild to a strong medium spice heat.
Restaurant : These days the Korma you get served in your local Indian is a very
mild, creamy rich dish, cooked slowly on low heat with coconuts, cinnamon, cloves,
nutmeg and double cream and often recommended for “curry virgins”. Shahi Korma
can be very rich and quite sweet but is very popular with those being introduced to
Indian cuisine. Originally almonds were used but often now includes cashews plus
poppy seeds, yoghurt, bay, onions, green chillis, cardamom, ginger, cloves, nutmeg
and mace.
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Madras
Name Origins : The dish gets its name
from the city of Madras in the South India, now known as Chennai.
History : Madras curry is one of those dishes peculiar to the British Indian restaurant
industry and has come to be one of the standard dishes offered and enjoyed over the
past 50 years. It is said to originate in the south of India and according to legend an
Englishman named Sharwood was dining with the Maharaja of Madras, who
mentioned to him the shop kept by a famous master maker of curry powder called
Vencatachellum. The Englishman visited it and obtained the secret of this curry
powder, a mixture of saffron, tumeric, cumin, Kerala coriander and a selection of
Orissa chillies, all of which were roasted then ground to make a masala, which came
to be called Madras.
Preparation : Madras is a medium hot dish which originates from the Indian
restaurants of Britain. In actual fact there is no such dish as Madras in India, and
because it is a restaurant invention rather than a traditional Indian recipe, the
characteristics of a Madras dish can change from restaurant to restaurant.
Restaurant : Your typical Madras dish will be cooked in a hot curry sauce, with
tomatoes, lemon juice and with hot chilli powder. The Madras can be hot or really hot
and red or brown - it can be just a version of a plain curry or very rich in tomatoes.
The curry house Madras is a restaurant invention which started life as simply a ‘hotted
up’ version of the standard restaurant curry. The dish is a fairly hot curry sauce, red or
brown in colour and with heavy use of chilli powder and can be vegetarian or meat.
Pasanda
Name Origins : In Hindi and Urdu, the
words 'pasand' or 'pasanda' mean 'like' or 'liked' or 'to like' depending upon the verb it
is used with. Therefore a Pasanda dish (often Badam(almond) Pasanda) is taken as
meaning that the dish is to everyone's liking; children, beginner meat eaters and old
hands alike.
History : Pasanda is supposedly of North Indian and Pakistani origins dating back to
as early as the Moghul era, where it was a favourite of the Emperors of the time. This
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is a mild dish, traditionally made with thinly sliced strips of boneless chicken or lamb
fillets, marinated in aromatic spices.
Preparation : Pasanda is commonly, but mistakenly, taken to mean the style of sauce
(usually very rich) in which this dish is presented. The term "pasanda" actually refers
to the manner of preparing meat for cooking by beating it and cutting into strips. It is
of a creamy consistency, lamb being marinated in a mix of yoghurt, ground almonds,
onion, ginger and garlic.
Restaurant : Pasanda is a special preparation of ground almonds, cream and selected
spices. This dish is mild to medium, flavoured with cardamoms, cinnamon and spices
and it is not very hot. It is a favourite among the people who enjoy a milder
experience and is highly recommended for people with mild palates. It is best enjoyed
with rice or naan.
Pathia
Name Origins : A dish of Persian origins
(Pathia, Patea), possibly Parsee (fish in dark vinegar sauce), although others say East
and even Southern Indian.
Preparation : A sweet and sour, quite hot dish. Often lemon is used for the sour taste,
and either other fruits, or shameless use of sugar provides sweetness. It should be an
exotic balance of sweet and sour. It is hot, garnished with onion, green pepper and a
touch of almond, in a thick sauce with Chicken or Lamb, generally similar to a
Madras with lemon juice and tomato purée.
Restaurants : Started as a starter using mainly prawns but is now offered as a
maincourse dish with prawn, chicken or lamb and often garnished with tomato pieces.
Prawn Balchao :
Name Origins – Originated in Macao
History - Brought to Goa by the Portuguese, Balchão originated in Macao, where it is
called Balichao.
Preparation - Prawn Balchão is another Goan favourite. Balchao is a method of
cooking either fish or prawns in a dark red and tangy sauce. Balchao is almost like
pickling and can be made days in advance without reheating. The traditional Balchao
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uses a paste made from dried shrimp known as 'galmbo' in Konkani spices. This paste
is added to fresh prawns, onion, spices and oil to prepare a prawn balchao. Balchao is
often bottled and eaten as an accompaniment in meals. But many people leave out the
dried shrimp paste as this lends a fairly strong fishy flavour to the dish.
Raan :
Name Origins : Indian whole leg of lamb.
History : Sikandri Raan was first known to have been prepared for Alexander of
Macedonia’s wedding feast when he married Roxanne, daughter of Oxyrates, a king
of the Hindu Kush region, which Alexander (or Sikander) had just conquered. The leg
of lamb preparation was also eaten at the battlefield banquet held to celebrate the now
legendary friendship of the great conqueror with King Porus of Takshila.
Preparation : Leg of lamb marinated in yogurt-based masala. Ingredients can
include almonds, onions, chillies, garlic, ginger, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, black
peppercorns, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, cayenne peppers, garam masala, yoghurt.
Restaurants : There was a time when you would have to book 48 hours ahead for a
Raan in a restaurant but nowadays much quicker versions (thought possibly not as
succulent) are on offer.
Rezala :
Name Origins : West Bengal.
History : Bengali. Originated in the kitchens of a Mogul ruler who lived near Calcutta
Preparation : Traditionally made with mutton chops or goat. A curry made by
simmering a wide variety of ingredients in flavoured yogurt. It has to be cooked on
low heat with constant stirring to prevent the yogurt from splitting. Ingredients
include yoghurt, onion, garlic, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, peppercorn, Keora water,
sour curd, green chilli, chicken, goat or lamb.
Restaurants : A popular dish found in most Bangladeshi restaurants in Britain.
Medium spiced with a rich sauce and, although not a traditional favourite, chicken
rezala is very popular.
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Rogon Josh
Name Origins : (sometimes called Rogon Ghost)
a Kashmiri dish. There is some dispute as to meaning. Camellia Panjabi says Rogan
= fat and josh = heat (intensity). Others say it means red meat and was called Rogon
Ghost originally. Another definition states that Rogan in Persian means clarified butter
and Josh means hot and passionate. Cinnamon Club chef Vivek Singh states it
actually means ‘red juice’ and its redness does not come from colouring, red chillies
or tomatoes but from the bark of a Kashmiri tree called rattan jyoth.
History : The history of modern Kashmiri cuisine can be traced back to the fifteenth
century invasion of India by Timur, and the migration of 1700 skilled woodcarvers,
weavers, architects, calligraphers and cooks from Samarkand to the valley of
Kashmir. The descendants of these cooks, the Wazas, are the master chefs of
Kashmir. The Mughals who brought the best of cuisine and arts with them, are the
originators of this recipe. To escape the heat of Delhi and Central India, the Mughals
went frequently to Kashmir which was once considered as the ‘Switzerland of the
East’. They took the recipe with them. Kashmir with a Hindu king and an Islamic
population welcomed the Mughals, their art, literature and food. The Rogan Josh with
a few modifications came to be known later as ‘Kashmiri Rogan Josh’. Rogan Josh
was a favourite of Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi being Kashmiris.
Preparation : Rogan Josh is meat (traditionally mutton) cooked in clarified butter at
intense heat. – cooked in its own fat with large black cardamoms and cloves.
Recipes vary widely across different regions and traditions, but all include lamb or
goat, oil or ghee (clarified butter), and a mixture of spices. These may include paprika
for its red colour or crushed beetroot, aniseed, cloves, cumin, cinnamon, and many
others. Many variations have ginger, garlic, and yoghurt, and some also use tomatoes.
The Kashmiri Pandits use asafoetida (hing) and fennel seeds instead of garlic and
onions and some achieve the deep red colour from the liberal use of dried red
Kashmiri chillies.
Restaurants : Rogan Josh is one of the most popular dishes in restaurants throughout
Britain but versions of the dish vary widely. The dish is usually medium hot and the
redness comes from chopped tomatoes and red peppers (although some amazingly
still use colouring). Many restaurants now also offer Rogan Chicken and even Prawn
but Lamb remains the most popular.
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Sorpotel :
Name Origins : The word Sorpotel is said to be derived from the konkani word Soro
which means Alcohol/Liquor. A party dish from the Christians of Goa.
History : Sorpatel, Sarapatel adapted from Portuguese dish sarabulho served at
Christmas and on feast days
Preparation : Pork, pork liver & heart, kidneys, red chillis, black peppercorns, garlic,
ginger, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, vinegar, oil, coconut feni, green chillies, onions.
Sorpotel, like balchao, keeps for several days, and is actually considered to taste better
if left for three to four days before being reheated. The meats are first parboiled, then
diced and sauteed before being cooked in a spicy and vinegary sauce. Sorpotel is often
accompanied by "sanna" - a spongy, white, and slightly sweet steamed rice and
coconut bread.
Tawa : Name Origins : (Tava) Unknown
History : A tawa is a round, thick iron griddle, it is also slightly concave in the centre.
It is used when very high temperatures are needed and mostly for Indian unleavened
breads called chappati or rotis. It is also used for cooking some unique dishes which
require fast cooking with the outer rim used to keep the dish warm. Popular in street
food especially Pau-Bhaji which is a typical tawa dish and needs to be constantly
stirred to avoid burning, and is served straight out of the tawa and eaten immediately
on sour dough bread.
Thali :
Name Origins : Hindi meaning plate.
A thali is a selection of different dishes, usually served in small bowls on a round tray.
The Thali is set with a number of small bowls (katoris in Hindi) containing all sorts of
vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods. Rice, bread (like chapatis), pickles, chutneys
and a dessert are also usually included.
Preparation : Thali dining is more a style that a dish. The content varies very much
from region to region.For instance the Gujarati thali will have farsans (Gujarati
vegetarian canapes), vegetables, dals, chapatis (rotis), rice, salads and pickles. In the
south the emphasis shifts to rice delicacies as well as vegetables.
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Restaurants : Most restaurants in Britain feature a vegetarian or meat based Thali in
their menus and they are very popular.
Tikka
Name Origins : Hindi/Urdu - a piece of meat,
such as a cutlet – Persian for ‘bits’, ‘pieces’.
History : Originated in the Punjab region of Pakistan and India, possibly among the
Hindkowans of the city of Peshawar. Tikka became very popular in British/Asian
cuisine with the introduction of the tandoor, leading to the creation of Britain’s
‘favourite dish’ chicken tikka masala. The dish is also known and eaten in
Afghanistan, though the Afghan version is less spicy in comparison with the Indian
version.
Preparation : Usually boneless pieces of chicken, lamb, duck, king prawn or
vegetables marinated in a special mixture of tandoori red spices and yoghurt. The
Punjabi version, though, is barbecued on red-hot coal and does not always contain
boneless pieces. The pieces are regularly brushed with ghee (fat), which gives its
taste, while being continuously fanned. It is typically eaten with a green coriander &
tamarind chutney, served with onion rings and lemons.
Restaurant : Chicken tikka is one of the most popular starters in Indian restaurants in
UK. The pieces of chicken are presented hot and red from the tandoor but since the
pressure to omit food colouring, many restaurants present the dish in its natural, nonred, state.
Vindaloo
Name Origins : Derivative of the Portuguese
"vinha d'alhos", and also called Vindalho or Vindallo meaning wine/vinegar of garlic
History : Portuguese sailors introduced vindaloo to India as they carried on board
their ships barrels of pork preserved in wine or vinegar and garlic to provide
sustenance on their long journeys. Britons have known about this hot curry dish at
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least since 1888, when W. H. Dawe explained it in The Wife's Help to Indian
Cookery, published in London: "Vindaloo or Bindaloo--A Portuguese Karhi.... The
best Vindaloo is prepared in mustard-oil.... Beef and pork, or duck can be made into
this excellent curry." Portuguese sailors brought their garlic-flavoured vinegar stew to
Goa, which, from 1510 to 1961, was a Portuguese colony on the southwestern coast of
India. The Goans spiced up the recipe and the name, making it vindaloo in their
Konkani language, a member of the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European
language family. The English tongue has only vindaloo from Konkani.
Preparation : The traditional Portuguese dish was made with pork preserved in red
wine or red wine vinegar, and stewed with garlic and only included chili pepper after
it was discovered it in South America. In Goa, where wine was less easy to come by,
vinegar was substituted, and local spices were added (the Portuguese dish was not
spicy). Goan vindaloo is sweet-and-sour pork, the vinegar derived from tapping the
high branches of the coconut palm tree to give it that special taste rather than the lipsearing dish found in some UK restaurants.
Restaurant : Vindaloo is a mainstay of the "Indian" menu in the UK and is the classic
‘hot’ dish, so much so that it has even inspired songs when in 1998 Fat Les recorded
"Vindaloo" for the FIFA football World Cup. Restaurants often serve this dish with
chicken or lamb and also often mistakenly mixed with potatoes. Traditional vindaloos
do not include potatoes, the discrepancy arising from misinterpretation of the name
because the word "aloo" means "potato" in Hindi. Hence the restaurant definition
tends to be “very hot with potato in spicy sauce”.
The vindaloo you are likely to get served in your local restaurant or take-away is just
a much hotter version of a normal madras style dish, although some chefs have
interpreted the “aloo” part of vindaloo, as meaning potato and have introduced diced
potato in the dish. A typical vindaloo contains a whole range of spices including:
garlic, vinegar, chillies, coriander, cumin, onions, ginger, peppercorns and tomatoes.
It is the favourite ‘macho’ dish of British Indian restaurants.
Xacuti :
Name Origins : The name is supposedly derived from "Xac Ku Tic" or "Xaque Ku
Tik" meaning that the dish is very spicy
History : Xacuti used to be prepared only of game meat, and it was always the men
who prepared it after returning from hunting.
Preparation : A curry prepared in Goa with quite complex spicing, including white
poppy seeds and large dried red chillies and has its origins in Portuguese cooking. It
has lots of earthy spices like nutmeg, coriander, turmeric, chilies, ginger and cloves.
Additionally tamarind and lemon juice make for a pungent curry.
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MEXICAN TERMS
Real Mexican food is quite unlike the dishes found in most Mexican and TexMex restaurants in countries outside Mexico and can be very exciting in quality
terms rather than the quantity emphasis of some Tex/Mex.
Achiote :
A paste or powder for culinary use, mainly as a colour : it is known as "achiote,"
"annatto," "bijol," or "pimentão doce." It is a main ingredient in the Yucatecan spice
mixture recado rojo, or "achiote paste." Achiote Paste is made from thousands of
slightly bitter, earthy flavoured, red annatto seeds. Ground into a paste, Achiote is a
distinctly coloured and flavoured mainstay
In the West it used to colour confectionery, butter, smoked fish and cheeses like
Cheshire, Leicester, Edam and Muenster. The Mayan Indians of Central America used
the bright dye as war paint.
Chalupas :
A tostada platter in Mexican cuisine. It is a specialty of south-central Mexico, such as
the states of Puebla, Guerrero and Oaxaca. It is made by pressing a thin layer of masa
dough around the outside of a small mold and deep frying to produce a crisp shallow
corn cup. It is filled with various ingredients such as shredded chicken, pork, chopped
onion, chipotle pepper, sour cream, cheese, red salsa, and green salsa. Chalupa means
boat or launch in Spanish.
Chimichanga :
The dish is prepared by folding a flour tortilla into a rectangular package and filling it
with a wide range of ingredients, most commonly beans, rice, cheese, ground beef,
shredded beef, or shredded chicken. It is then deep-fried and may be accompanied
with salsa, guacamole, sour cream or cheese. The origins of the dish are disputed, the
earliest claim being from 1922 in Tucson, Arizona.
Enchilada :
A corn tortilla rolled around a filling and covered with a chili pepper sauce.
Enchiladas can be filled with a variety of ingredients, including meat, cheese, beans,
potatoes, vegetables, seafood or combinations. This Mexican dish is a filled tortilla
with a variety of fillings such as shredded chicken, beef, vegetables or beans, then
cover with a sauce and some grated cheese. The filled tortillas are then baked in the
oven until cooked and the cheese is melted and golden.
Fajita :
The word fajita originally referred to a particular cut of beef – the tough skirt steak. In
traditional fashion the strips of fajita beef would have been eaten by Mexican ranch
workers wrapped in a tortilla with hot sauce and guacamole if avocados were to hand.
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In the late 1970's a restaurateur in San Antonio, Texas opened the Mi Senor restaurant
with a menu featuring the first restaurant selection of fajitas using stir fry strips of
beef, chicken, prawns and pork, far removed from the original humble Mexican fare.
The meat is often cooked with onions and bell peppers and wrapped in a flour or corn
tortilla. Popular condiments are shredded lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, pico
de gallo, cheese, and tomato.
Frijoles :
Refried beans, traditionally prepared with pinto beans, but many other varieties of
bean can be used, such as black or red beans. Frijoles refritos can appear on a
Mexican table 3 times a day: with breakfast eggs, after the main meat course at
midday (the largest meal), or with the evening's tacos. They are used to spread on
tostadas, in burritos, in enchiladas, on tacos, on nachos, or just by themselves.
Guacamole :
Of Aztec origin, it was originally valued for its high fat and vitamin content.
Guacamole was originally made by mashing the avocado with a mortar and pestle and
adding tomatoes and salt.
Ripe avocados, onions, lime, and salt are common to most recipes with lime or lemon
juice added for flavour, and to slow the enzyme causing browning. Other common
ingredients include minced tomatoes, black pepper, chili pepper, garlic, cumin, and
cilantro. Traditional Mexican ingredients include avocados, minced tomatoes and
white onions, fresh coriander, lime, garlic, salt and pepper.
Mole :
The generic name for several sauces used in Mexican cuisine. Mole poblano, whose
name comes from the Mexican state of Puebla is the mole that most people in the U.S.
think of when they think of mole. Mole poblano is prepared with dried chili peppers
(commonly ancho, pasilla, mulato and chipotle), ground nuts and/or seeds (almonds,
indigenous peanuts, and/or sesame seeds), spices, Mexican chocolate (cacao ground
with sugar and cinnamon and occasionally nuts), salt, and a variety of other
ingredients including charred avocado leaves, onions, and garlic. Dried seasonings
such as ground oregano are also used. In order to provide a rich thickness to the sauce,
bread crumbs or crackers are added to the mix. There are eight other well-known
moles with differing ingredients.
Chicken Mole is the national dish of Mexico. Standard Mexican mole usually includes
vegetable oil, onion, finely chopped , good quality cocoa powder, ground cumin, dried
coriander, garlic, minced, tin chopped tomatoes, jalapeño chillies, diced.
Pipían :
Pipián sauce is a piquant Mexican seed sauce traditionally served over roast chicken
or enchiladas. It is part of a larger family of ground sauces known as moles, and it has
a very distinctive, nutty, earthy flavour. Pipian is a grand and quite ancient dish of
Mexican cuisine. Recipes vary but include pumpkin, masa harina, garlic and dry red
chillies. Other recipes call for toasted sesame seeds, blanched almonds, garlic and
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jalapeno chillies. Green Pipian includes tomatillos, lettuce, garlic, onions, cilantro,
radish and avocado leaves, epazote, cumin, chillies, pumpkin seeds and peanuts.
Quesadillas :
A fast-food item in Mexican cuisine, which involves cooking ingredients, most
importantly cheese, inside a corn, wheat or flour tortilla or a wrapping of masa
(cornmeal dough). The word comes from Spanish, and literally means "little cheesy
thing”.
Originally, in most regions (especially the central region) of Mexico, a quesadilla was
a circle of uncooked corn masa folded in half and filled with cheese, then warmed up
until the cheese has melted. However, variations include the use of wheat flour
tortillas, especially in the northeast part of Mexico, which are more like cheese tacos
found in the U.S. Wheat dough is used in place of corn masa in pastes, a preparation
typical of the Mexican city of Pachuca, Hidalgo. Wheat tortillas are also used to make
a gringa, which is a cross of a taco al pastor and a quesadilla. Quesadillas can be
stuffed with ingredients other than just cheese.
Mexican Quesadillas
Serves 6
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Ingredients:
6 soft wheat tortillas
200-250g Applewood smoked - flavoured cheese, grated
3 spring onions, finely chopped
2 jalopeno chilli in brine, drained and finely chopped
25g butter
Method:
1. Place 3 of the wheat tortillas on a clean work surface.
2. In a bowl, mix together the cheese, spring onions and chilli.
3. Divide the cheese mixture over the three tortillas. Top with the other
three tortillas and press down to flatten.
4. Heat a little of the butter in a frying pan. Add a tortilla and cook for 5
mins, pressing down on the top of the tortilla. Turn the tortilla over and
cook the second side until crisp.
5. Remove from the pan and cut into wedges. Repeat with the remaining
tortillas.
TIP: To create really runny cheese, pop the cooked quesadillas in the
microwave for a minute or so.
Salsa :
Salsa has been America’s favourite condiment since 2000—supplanting ketchup. The
chile has been domesticated since about 5200 BC., and tomatoes since 3000 BC both
in Central America. The two were combined into a condiment, which the
Conquistadors named “salsa,” or sauce. The spicy sauce gave name to a hot and spicy
late 20th century dance related to the mambo...but that’s just the tail end of the story.
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In 1494, Dr. Diego Álvarez Chanca brought the first chiles to Spain, after traveling to
the West Indies on Columbus’ second voyage. He wrote of their medicinal effect. In
1529, Bernardino de Sahagún arrived and began to document Aztec culture, which
included foods (and salsa).
Aztecs combined tomatoes with chiles and ground squash seeds and consumed them
mainly as a condiment with seafood, turkey and venison. This combination was
named salsa in 1571 by Alonso de Molina, a Spanish priest and missionary (c. 15101584) who was taken by his parents to Santo Domingo, and went on to Mexico in
1523, after the conquest, where he learnt the Aztec language, Nahuatl. In 1807, the
first bottled hot sauces, made with cayenne chiles, appeared in Massachusetts.
In 1941, Henry Tanklage formed La Victoria Sales Company to market a new La
Victoria salsa line. He introduced red and green taco and enchilada sauces, the first
salsa hot sauces in the U.S. He took over the entire La Victoria operation in 1946,
which manufactures ten different hot sauces now covering the entire salsa spectrum,
including Green Chili Salsa and Red Salsa jalapeño.
Salsa is low in calories and contains little or no fat. Tomatoes, chiles and coriander
contain vitamins A and C; tomatoes also have potassium.
Tamales :
From Nahuatl tamalli is a traditional indigenous Latin American food consisting of
steam-cooked corn dough with or without a filling. The corn meal dough made from
hominy (called masa), or a masa mix such as Maseca, usually filled with sweet or
savoury filling, wrapped in plant leaves or corn husks, and cooked, usually by
steaming. Masa is made of dried white corn, cal (slaked lime) and water.
Tamales are a gastronomic heritage from the ancient Indians of Mesoamerica, for
whom tamales were a main dish. Tamales wrapped in corn husks were the featured
dish eaten at celebratory banquets. They made tamales stuffed with snails, game,
boiled fruit, broad beans and fish with chile sauce. Nowadays the filling in the tamales
depends largely on the region.
Tostadas :
The tostada was created when tortillas went stale but were still fresh enough to eat.
Not wanting to waste old tortillas, which was one of the staple foods of the Mexican
people, beans, rice, meat, cheese and vegetables were spread onto the tortillas like an
"open faced" taco. This invention became very popular and people soon began to fry
fresh tortillas to recreate the dish. Tostadas nowadays are like flat tacos that are
usually made by layering frijoles (refried beans) on top of a fried, flat corn tortilla and
then adding a variety of different toppings, like meat, lettuce, guacamole, cheese and
salsa.
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MIDDLE EASTERN TERMS
(Greek, Iranian, Lebanese, Arab, Turkish etc)
Couscous :
This is a Berber dish consisting of spherical granules made by rolling and shaping
moistened semolina wheat and then coating them with finely ground wheat flour.
Couscous has been a staple food for over 1000 years in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia,
Libya and Egypt. Traditional couscous requires considerable preparation time and is
usually steamed. Name is possibly derived from the classical Arabic word kaskasah,
meaning "to grind" or "to pound”.
Couscous is traditionally served under a meat or vegetable stew. It can also be eaten
alone, flavoured or plain, warm or cold, as a dessert or a side dish. It has also become
another "designer" ingredient in many European countries as well as South America
and the United States.
Falafel :
Falafel is made from fava beans or chickpeas or a combination of the two rolled into
balls. Originally said to be an Egyptian dish well over 1000 years ago though other
countries claim it. Israel claims falafel as its national food (it is mentioned in the
Bible) whilst Palestinians complain that falafel was stolen from them. Falafel balls
may also be eaten alone as a snack or served as part of a mezze or served in pita bread
with salad. Lebanese falafel often use a combination of fava beans and chickpeas,
while in Egypt, it is traditional to use just fava beans. They are very nutritious and
include both high-quality protein and vegetables.
Fattoosh :
Fattoosh is a tangy, very popular Lebanese salad. It is prepared with fresh ba’leh or
purslane(mache), tomatoes, green onions, mint, sumak, and also leftover pita bread.
Harissa :
A North African hot red sauce or paste made from chili peppers (often smoked or
dried) and garlic, often with coriander and caraway or cumin and served with olive
oil. Important in Tunisian cuisine as well as in Morocco, Algeria and Libya. There is
also a special variety flavoured with roses. Often served with couscous.
Hummus (also spelled hamos, houmous, hommos, hommus, hummos, hummous or
humus)
A Levantine Arab (and traditional Greek) dip or spread made from cooked, mashed
chickpeas, blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. Serve one type
of hummus or a variety with hot pita bread wedges, pita chips or fresh veggies sticks
(carrot, sliced peppers & celery are delicious). Chickpeas are a good source of
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cholesterol-lowering fibre, in addition to lowering cholesterol, chickpeas high fibre
content prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal.
Kibbeh :
Kibbeh is one of the most characteristic foods of Levantine cuisine particularly in the
area of Aleppo, but also in the rest of the Levant (Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel,
Jordan), the surrounding regions (Iraq, Turkey, Cyprus (koupes or koubes), the
Arabian Peninsula, Armenia) and as far afield as Brazil, Colombia, and the
Dominican Republic. Torpedo-shaped bulgur shells stuffed with a filling based on
spiced minced lamb and fried till brown – know in the War as “Syrian torpedoes”.
Mezze :
A selection of appetizers or small dishes often served with a beverage, like aniseflavoured liqueurs such as arak, ouzo, or raki. Whilst they sometimes resemble tapas,
mezze(meze, mazza) are not an appetiser opener, as starters are not part of the Arabic
eating concept. A mezze table would probably consist of an entire meal. Said by some
to come from the Italian word mezzano, meaning middle, but this is discounted by
others. Popular throughout Middle East, Turkey & Greece.
Moussaka :
Originated in the Balkans and Middle East but most famous in Greece, consisting of
sautéed eggplant and tomato, usually with minced meat. The Greek version, which is
the best-known outside the region, includes layers of meat and eggplant topped with a
white sauce and baked. Turkish musakka, unlike the Greek version, is not layered.
Instead, it is prepared with sautéed eggplants, green peppers, tomatoes, onions, and
minced meat. Greek version possibly introduced by Tselementes in the 1920s
Food historians say it is descended from the Arabian dish maghmuna or musakhkhan
and a very similar dish appears in a 13th century Arabic cookbook
Pita :
A round, brown, wheat flatbread made with yeast often known as Syrian bread.
Similar to other double-layered flat or pocket breads, pita is traditional in many
Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. Pita is used to scoop sauces or dips such
as hummus and to wrap kebabs, gyros or falafel in the manner of sandwiches. Pita
originated in Egypt and the Middle East centuries ago.
Tabbouleh :
A popular salad dish in most Middle Eastern countries. Primary ingredients are
bulgur, finely chopped parsley, mint, tomato, scallion, and other herbs with lemon
juice, olive oil and various seasonings, generally including black pepper and
sometimes cinnamon and allspice. Often used as part of mezze. Tabbouleh is popular
in Brazil, USA, the Levant and in the Dominican Republic. The name is from a
Levantine Arabic word meaning literally "little spicy."
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Tahini :
Tahini is a paste of ground sesame seeds used in cooking. Tahini is a major
component of hummus bi tahini and other Middle Eastern foods. Tahini is a thick dip,
made of raw tahini which is a sesame paste. It is eaten with hummus, all sorts of
salads, burgers and meat, and goes wonderfully with many kinds of casseroles.
Taramasalata :
Greek – a dip often served as a mezze dish - it is traditionally made from taramas, the
salted and cured roe of the cod or the carp, though blends based on other forms of fish
roe, particularly cod, have become more common. The roe is mixed with either bread
crumbs or mashed potato, and lemon juice, vinegar and olive oil.
Sambusak :
A traditional Jewish pastry for Hannukah and the Sabbath. Flaky sesame-seed crusted
pastries are filled with a savoury beef or cheese mixture. It is an Arabic version of the
Indian samosa.
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ORIENTAL TERMS
(Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Indo/Malaysian)
CHINESE
Anhui :
Most ingredients in Anhui cuisine, such as pangolin, stone frog, mushroom, bayberry,
tea leaves, bamboo shoots, dates, games, etc., are from mountain area. Anhui cuisine
chefs pay more attention to the taste, colour of dishes and the temperature to cook
them, and are good at braising and stewing. Generally the food is slightly spicy and
salty. Popular dishes include stewed soft shell turtle with ham, Huangshan braised
pigeon, steamed stone frog, steamed rock partridge, stewed fish belly in brown sauce,
bamboo shoots cooked with sausage and dried mushroom. Anhui Cuisine places
importance on its ingredients rather than its seasonings and can be greasy and salty.
Cantonese :
Southern China - Cantonese cuisine is not generally spicy-hot or highly seasoned and
is the best known Chinese cuisine outside China. As most residents originate from the
Guangdong province where Guangzhou (Canton) is located, Hong Kong is the world
capital for this style of cooking. The sub-tropical region boasts ingredients such as
pineapple, coconut, peanuts, sugar cane, plus plenty of fish and seafood from the
coast.
We also have the Cantonese to thank for dim sum, literally meaning "touch your
heart" - the custom of feasting on a varied assortment of pastries and dumplings that
originated in China's teahouses. The most popular dim sum items are: 'ha gau'
(shrimp dumpling), 'siu mai' (prawn and pork dumpling), 'pai gwat' (steamed
spareribs), 'chun guen' (spring rolls), 'cha siu pau' (steamed barbecued pork buns),
and 'cheung fun' (steamed rice flour rolls with barbecue pork, beef, or shrimp).
Cantonese cuisine incorporates almost all edible meats, including organ meats,
chicken feet, duck and duck tongues, snakes, and snails. Steaming and stir-frying is
the most favoured cooking method. Spring onion, sugar, salt, soy sauce, rice wine,
corn starch, vinegar, sesame oil, and other oils suffice to enhance flavour in most
Cantonese cooking. Sauces include: Hoisin, Oyster, Plum, Sweet and sour, Black
bean, Fermented bean, and Shrimp paste.
Chop Suey :
Meaning ‘mixed pieces’, it is an American-Chinese dish consisting of meats (often
chicken, fish, beef, shrimp or pork), cooked quickly with vegetables such as bean
sprouts, cabbage, and celery and bound in a starch-thickened sauce. Invented in
America by Chinese immigrants and first appeared in an American publication in
1898, described as "A Hash of Pork, with Celery, Onions, Bean Sprouts, etc." May
have come from “za sui”, an old Chinese dish with cooked entrails. Legend has it that,
while he was visiting New York City, Chinese ambassador Li Hung Chang's cooks
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invented the dish for his American guests at a dinner on August 29, 1896 though there
is no evidence for this.
Chow Mein :
A generic Chinese term for a dish of stir-fried noodles, of which there are many
varieties. The term chow mein is derived from the Taishan dialect of the Chinese.
Chow mein is generally made of soft noodles, however Hong Kong-style chow mein
is made from thin crispy noodles.
The dish migrated to America with Chinese immigrants in the mid-19th century
where meat and vegetables were added. The Taishan dialect of Chinese was the
dialect spoken by the first Chinese immigrants from Taishan to America.The dish is
one of the most popular ‘Chinese’ dishes in the West
Crispy Duck :
Crispy aromatic duck is a variant of Peking duck that originated from the Chinese
community in the United Kingdom in the latter half of the 20th century. The meat is
served with pancakes, finely chopped cucumber and spring onions and hoisin sauce
The meat has less fat, but is drier and crispier compared to that of Peking Duck
The origin of the Peking Duck dates back to before the Ming Dynasty, about 600
years ago. Cooks from all over China traveled to Beijing to cook for the Emperor. It
was a prestigious occupation as only the best chefs could enter the palace kitchens.
Many of the recipes for such foods of the Emperor were later smuggled out of the
kitchen and onto the streets of Beijing. With the eventual fall of the Ching dynasty in
1911, court chefs who left the Forbidden City set up restaurants around Beijing and
brought Peking Duck and other delicious dishes to the masses. Ducks bred specially
for the dish are slaughtered after 65 days and seasoned before being roasted in a
closed or hung oven. The first restaurant specialising in Peking Duck, Bianyifang, was
established in the Xianyukou, Qianmen area of Beijing in 1416.
Dim Sum :
The name for a Chinese cuisine which involves a wide range of light dishes served
alongside Chinese tea(Yum Cha). Traditional dim sum includes various types of
steamed buns such as cha siu baau, dumplings and rice noodle rolls (cheong fun),
which contain a range of ingredients, including beef, chicken, pork, prawns and
vegetarian options. Typical items are Shrimp Dumpling ; Chiu-chao style dumplings :
Potsticker ; Shaomai ; Cha siu baau ; Rice noodle rolls ; Spare ribs ; Sou ; Steamed
meatball.
Fujian :
The native cooking style of the province of Fujian, China. Fujian style cuisine is
known to be light but flavourful, soft, and tender, with particular emphasis on umami
taste, known in Chinese cooking as xiānwèi. Unique seasoning from the province and
its regions include shrimp oil, shrimp paste, sugar, Shacha sauce, and preserved
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apricot. Fujian cuisine emphasizes seafood and mountain delicacies and the most
characteristic aspect of Fujian cuisine is that its dishes are often served in soup.
Cutting is important in the Fujian cuisine. Most famous dishes are Buddha-jumpingover-the-wall, edible bird’s nest, cuttlefish, and sturgeon.
Hakka :
The cooking style of the Hakka people, who are primarily found in south eastern
China. Also well known in India where the version is really more Indian-Chinese
cuisine (or Chindian) with dishes such as Chilli Chicken and Manchurian Chow Mein.
Famous authentic Hakka dishes include Dung Gong Yam Guk Gai - Salt baked
chicken ; Noh Mi Ap - Duck stuffed with rice ; Beef ball soup ; Yong Tau Foo and Kiu
nyuk. Pork is by far the most favoured meat of the Hakkas, with belly bacon being the
preferred cut.
Huaiyang :
Huaiyang cuisine tends to have a sweet side to it and, in contrast to that of Sichuan
cuisine, is almost never spicy. Huaiyang cuisine is characterized by stewing, braising,
and steaming over a low fire for a long time. Famous dishes cooked this way are
chicken braised with chestnuts, pork steamed in lotus leaf, duck stewed with eight
treasures, meatballs with crab meat in Yangzhou style, and butterfly sea cucumber
(sea cucumber cut into butterfly shapes and cooked with flavourings). The cuisine is
also well-known for utilizing its famous Chinkiang vinegar
Hunan :
The cuisine of the Xiang River region, Dongting Lake and western Hunan Province
and is well known for its hot spicy flavour, fresh aroma and deep colour. The cooking
skills of Hunan cuisine reached a high standard as early as the Western Han Dynasty,
2,100 years ago. Common cooking techniques include stewing, frying, pot-roasting,
braising, and smoking with liberal use of chilli peppers, shallots and garlic. Often
spicier by pure chili content than Sichuan cuisine, and contains a larger variety of
fresh ingredients, whilst tending to be oilier. It is said that Hunan cuisine is the most
pleasing to the eye of all Chinese cuisines, classic examples being Hunan spicy beef
with vegetables, Crispy duck and Garlic-Fried String Beans.
Jiangsu :
Jiangsu dishes taste fresh, light and mellow. Typical courses of Jiangsu cuisine are
Jinling salted dried duck (Nanjing's most famous dish), crystal meat (pork heals in a
bright, brown sauce), clear crab shell meatballs (pork meatballs in crab shell powder,
fatty, yet fresh), Yangzhou steamed Jerky strips (dried tofu, chicken, ham and pea
leaves), triple combo duck, dried duck, and Farewell My Concubine (soft-shelled
turtle stewed with many other ingredients such as chicken, mushrooms and wine).
Using fish and crustaceans as the main ingredients, it stresses freshness. Its high
carving techniques are delicate, of which the melon carving technique is especially
well known.
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Shandong :
Shandong cuisine consists of two major styles: Jiaodong style characterized by
seafood cooking, with light tastes and Jinan style famed for its soup and utilizing
soups in its dishes. Shandong cuisine remains rooted in its ancient traditions. Most
notable is the staggering array of seafood, including scallops, prawns, clams, sea
cucumbers, and squid. Shandong's most famous dish is the "sweet and sour carp". A
truly authentic "sweet and sour carp" must come from the Yellow River. Condiments
such as sauce paste, fistulous onion and garlic are freely used, so Shandong dishes
usually taste pungent. Dezhou stewed chicken is known throughout the country; the
chicken is so well cooked that the meat easily separates from the bone although the
shape of the chicken is preserved.
Sichuan(Szechwan) :
Western China - a well-balanced Sichuan dish should feature the full range of salty,
sweet, sour and hot chilli flavours. Hot pepper, an important flavouring in Sichuan
cuisine, was introduced into China only 200 to 300 years ago.The local Sichuan
pepper (used alone and as an ingredient of Chinese five-spice powder) is peppery, but
more numbing than burning. Some well-known Szechuan dishes include Kung Pao
chicken and Twice Cooked Pork. Typical flavourings include soy sauce from
Zhongba, cooking vinegar from Baoning, special vinegar from Sanhui, fermented soy
beans from Tongchuan, hot pickled mustard tubers from Fuling, chili sauce from
Chongqing, thick, broad – bean sauce from Pixian, and well salt from Zigong.
Sichuan cuisine tends to use quick – frying, quick stir – frying, dry – braising, and dry
– stewing. Sichuan cuisine also has many delicious snacks and desserts, such as
Bangbang chicken, chicken with sesame paste, lantern shadow beef, husband and
wife’s pork lung slices, steamed beef, noodles with chili sauce, and rice dumplings
stuffed with sesame paste. Although many Sichuan dishes live up to their spicy
reputation, often ignored are the large percentage of recipes that use little or no spice
at all, including recipes such as "tea smoked duck".
Wonton :
A noodle-dough dumpling filled typically with spiced minced pork or other ground
meat, usually boiled in soup or fried and eaten as a side dish. Each region of China
has its own variations of wonton(small filled dumpling parcels), and examples include
Beijing, Sichuan, Hubei, Jiangnan, Jiangxi, Guangdong (Cantonese), Fujian etc.
Shrimp filled in Cantonese ; minced meat in Shanghai ; chāo shǒu in Sichuan
Zhejiang :
Zhejiang style is not greasy, having instead a fresh and soft flavour with a mellow
fragrance. There is use of bamboo shoots, poultry and freshwater fish and seafood,
with emphasis on freshness and salty dishes. Zhejiang cuisine specializes in quickfrying, stir-frying, deep-frying, simmering and steaming, obtaining the natural flavour
and taste. Typical dishes include Hangzhou roast chicken (commonly known as
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Beggar's chicken), Dongpo pork, west lake fish in vinegar sauce, and Songsao
Shredded Fishsoup.
THAI
An important principle of Thai food is a balance of five flavours - spicy, salty,
sweet, sour and bitter.
Gai Pad Khring
Thai Ginger Chicken. Contains fried chicken and different vegetables such as peppers
and onions, but other meats may be used. The most important ingredient is the sliced
ginger which gives the dish a very characteristic taste.
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Green Curry
(Gaeng Khiew-waan)
Originating in Asia, green curry paste has been changed to suit the taste of every
adoptive palate. When Siam opened up to trade during the Ayutthaya period the
Indian and Moorish peoples were said to have added milk and creams and later,
coconut milk, to a basic paste of coriander seed and roots, cumin, peppercorns,
lemongrass, lime, garlic, shallots and shrimp. The dish is green through the use of
green chilli peppers. Green curry, like all curry blends, varies in composition and
flavour, depending on the cook. A basic green curry includes green chillis, onion,
coriander, lime juice and rind, lemongrass, garlic, soy sauce, cumin and ginger. The
dish has citrus undertones and can be mild or hot
Khao Pad
One of the most common dishes in Thailand - Fried rice, Thai style - usually with
chicken, beef, shrimp, pork, crab or coconut or pineapple or vegetarian. Khao Pad
Naem is with sausage and Khao Pad Gai with chicken, Poo with crab and Moo with
pork. Differs from Chinese stir fried rice due to use of Jasmine rice.
Massaman Curry
(Gaeng Massaman)
A Thai dish that is Muslim in origin using Portuguese spicing. The name Massaman
is thought to be derived from the word "Musulman", the older form of the word
"Muslim". The dish is a blend of traditional Thai and Indian curries and usually
contains coconut milk, roasted peanuts, potatoes, bay leaves, cardamom pods,
cinnamon, palm sugar, fish sauce, and tamarind sauce and is commonly made with
beef.
Pad Thai
A dish of stir-fried rice noodles with eggs, fish sauce, tamarind juice, red chilli
pepper, plus any combination of bean sprouts, shrimp, chicken, or tofu, garnished
with crushed peanuts and coriander. Pad Thai is one of Thailand's national dishes
Although the dish has been around for centuries (possibly of Chinese origins) - it is
thought to have been brought to the ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya by Vietnamese
traders – it was first made popular as a national dish by Luang Phibunsongkhram
when he was prime minister during the 1930s and 1940s. This dish uses the
combination of sweet, sour and salty to great effect and the contrast of textures is also
important
Red Curry
(Gaeng Phet) :
A popular Thai dish named from the red chilli pepper based on coconut milk heated
with red curry paste and fish sauce. Red curry dishes may include ingredients such as
kaffir lime leaves or peel, Thai eggplant, coconut milk, bamboo shoots, Thai basil,
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and some sort of meat such as chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, or duck. Thai Red Curry is
often compared to the Indian Sambar.
Tom Yam Goong
This hot and sour prawn soup is perhaps one of the most famous dishes in Thai
cuisine. Tom yum is characterized by its distinct hot and sour flavours, with fragrant
herbs generously used. The basic broth is made of stock and fresh ingredients such as
lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, shallots, lime juice, fish sauce, tamarind,
slices of ginger and crushed chili peppers with prawns (goong). Tom Yam Gai uses
chicken instead. Often called the signature dish of Thailand.
INDONESIAN/MALAYSIAN
As a multi-national region, Indonesian/Malaysian cuisine reflects the influences
of China and India and numerous other regions to create a truly diverse cuisine.
As well as dishes originating in the region, the area offers a rich array of dishes
originating in India but with a Malaysian influence such as Thosai, Idli and
Mamak, a special Malaysian style for Indian Muslims or China such as Bakkwa,
Bak Kut Teh and the steamed bub Pao.
Beef Rendang
Often seen as the Indonesian version of an Indian curry. Contains thinly sliced beef,
turmeric, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, hot red chillies, garlic, ginger and
coconut milk. Originated from the Minangkabau ethnic group of Indonesia. The dish
is slow cooked so that the meat absorbs all the spices and becomes very tender and
very tasty. Given stronger exposure in the West, this dish has been signalled as one
that could become extremely popular.
Laksa
A popular spicy noodle soup from the Peranakan culture also known as Baba and
Nyonya, which is a merger of Chinese, Indian and Malay elements found in Malaysia
and Singapore. Curry Laksa, a coconut based curry soup, is one of the most popular
versions. Assam or Penang Laksa is a sour fish based soup and there are many other
variations.
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Nasi Goreng
Literally means “fried rice”. The main ingredients for the plain nasi goreng include
pre-cooked rice, soy sauce, garlic, shallot and some spring onions for garnishing. In
restaurants, the dish is often served as a main meal accompanied by additional items
such as a fried egg, fried chicken, satay, vegetables, and kerupuk(prawn crackers).
Rijsttafel
The rice table, that was actually an invention of the Dutch, back in colonial times, is
very well known. It consists of many (forty is not an unusual number) side dishes
served in small portions, accompanied by rice prepared in several different ways, a bit
like an exotic buffet. Dishes include fried rice (nasi goreng), satay and maybe some of
the Indonesian soups (soto).
Satay
The national dish of Malaysia. Pieces of chicken, goat, mutton, beef, pork or fish on
skewers from the midrib of the coconut leaf, although bamboo skewers are often used.
These are grilled or barbecued over a wood or charcoal fire, then served with various
spicy seasonings, usually satay (peanut) sauce. Probably originated in Java.
JAPANESE
Japanese cuisine is based on combining staple foods, typically rice or noodles,
with a soup, and okazu - dishes made from fish, meat, vegetable, tofu and the
like, designed to add flavour to the staple food. These are typically flavoured
with dashi, miso, and soy sauce and are usually low in fat and high in salt.
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Kare Raisu
Cooked rice with a curry sauce. It can be served with additional toppings such as
tonkatsu. Curry is not a native Japanese dish, but has been used in Japan for over a
century and is very popular.
Ramen
Ramen are Chinese style noodles prepared in a soup with various toppings. Ramen is
one of the many popular dishes originally introduced from China but have become
completely Japanized over time. Other noodle dishes are Udon (wheat flour), Soba
(buckwheat flour), and Yakisoba (fried).
Sashimi
Means “pierced body”. Very fresh raw seafood, sliced into thin pieces and served with
only a dipping sauce (soy sauce with wasabi paste or other condiments such as grated
fresh ginger, or ponzu), depending on the fish, and simple garnishes such as shiso and
shredded daikon radish.
Shabu Shabu
Shabu-shabu is a Japanese style meat fondue or hot pot. Thinly sliced meat, along
with vegetables, mushrooms and tofu is dipped into a hot soup and then into ponzu
vinegar or a sesame sauce before being eaten. More savoury and less sweet than
sukiyaki
Sukiyaki
A nabe dish prepared in a hot pot with thinly sliced meat, vegetables, mushrooms,
tofu and shirataki (konyaku noodles). The pieces of food are dipped into a raw egg
before eaten. Often prepared steamboat style.
Sushi
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Sushi is perhaps the most famous Japanese food in the world. In Japanese cuisine,
sushi indicates dishes that use sushi rice, which is seasoned with a sweet vinegar
mixture. Varieties include Nigirizushi (hand-formed sushi), Makizushi (rolled sushi),
Oshizushi (pressed sushi), Inarizushi (stuffed sushi), Chirashizushi (scattered sushi)
and Narezushi (matured sushi). The sushi is often wrapped in Nori (seaweed) and
topped with fish.
Tempura
Tempura is deep fried vegetable or seafood. The light batter is made of cold water and
wheat flour. Eggs, baking soda or baking powder, starch, oil, and/or spices may also
be added. Tempura was introduced to Japan in the mid-sixteenth century by early
Portuguese missionaries and traders.
Teppanyaki
A style of Japanese cuisine using an iron griddle (teppan). More popular with
foreigners than Japanese and very popular in USA due to the antics of the chefs
cooking in front of you. Made famous by the Benihana restaurant chain which opened
its first restaurant in New York in 1964. Usually includes beef, shrimp, scallops,
lobster, and chicken and is often enjoyed with sake.
Yakitori
Yakitori is grilled chicken speared on sticks. All different parts of the chicken, thighs,
skin, liver, etc. can be used for yakitori. Ingredients include soy sauce, honey, sake
and green onion. Somewhat like Malaysian satay.
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Appendix 10
A – Z OF EXOTIC FOODS,
HERBS & SPICES
Allspice(Pimenta dioica, Pimenta officinalis;Jamaica Pepper)
Despite its common name, Allspice, thought up in the late 17th century to describe its
taste - a mixture of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and pepper - it is really just one spice.
The dried, unripe berry of a tropical tree of the myrtle family, native to Central
America and West Indies, grown exclusively in the Western hemisphere, having
resisted various efforts at production elsewhere in the world. The trees are fairly
productive, though, being very easy to grow and each tree remaining productive for
around 100 years.
Discovered by the Spanish in Mexico at the beginning of the 16th century and in use
in London by 1601, the spice quickly found favour for use in pickles, marinades,
sausages, fish preserves, cakes and puddings. Pimento seeds were also used by the
Aztecs to flavour their chocolate preparations.
The ripe berries are very similar in appearance to peppercorns and most of the world’s
supply of the spice comes from Jamaica, hence its alternative name, Jamaica Pepper,
and the variation on the Spanish word, pimienta (pepper) in its Latin botanical name.
The green berries are hand-picked before reaching ripeness and sun-dried to a
reddish-brown colour for about 10 days before being cleaned ready for shipping.
Medicinal : Its main active volatile oil is eugenol, which is also the principal
flavouring in cloves and an extract of allspice oils has been used for its digestive and
slightly narcotic properties.
Perhaps the most unusual use of this spice in a medicinal rôle is by Russian soldiers
during the Napoleonic Wars; in order to prevent chillblains, they placed allspice
berries in their boots.
Nutritionally 1tsp of ground allspice weighs 2g contains fats, carbohydrates, fibre,
sodium, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C and Iron and contains 7 kcals.
Almond(Prunus dulcis (Sweet), Prunus amygdalus (Bitter), Badam)
The almond originated in the Near East, then spread throughout the Mediterranean,
where it is grown alongside the olive, both ideal crops in rocky, poor ground.
According to the Bible, Aaron’s rod, chosen to sprout by God, thus indicating his
choice of the House of Levi as his priests, was made from almond wood, although it
was the Greeks who were thought to have cultivated it first and who gave it the name,
amygdalon, from which its Latin botanical specific name is derived. Almond seeds
have been found in the Neolithic layer below the Palace of Knossos in Crete and
evidence of the early use of wild almonds by Man has been found at several sites in
Greece. The ancient Romans, who called it nux Graeca, the Greek nut, may have
introduced the tree to Britain, although it is grown here for the blossom rather than the
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nut, due to its intolerance to high winds and frosts. The Phoenicians probably were
most responsible for its wider distribution, taking it both to Spain and France, where it
is thought to have been under cultivation as far back as the 8th century BC.
The almond has long been a symbol of luxury and wealth, being pounded up with
sugar, colourings and flavourings to make confectionery, comfits and celebration cake
coverings in the form of marchpane, or marzipan, as it became known when our main
supply came from Germany. Almonds also form the basis for French Nougat and
Spanish Turon, and in Italy, sugar-coated and gilded almonds are given as a symbolic
gift on special occasions, such as weddings or religious festivals.
The almond was used extensively in Medieval cookery, especially in displaying the
wealth or status of the host, making the nut an important commodity for many years.
Elizabethan cookery used a lot of almond milk, that is almonds pounded up with
water, in dishes such as blancmanges, and herbalists still use this for helping cradle
cap in infants and gastric problems in adults.
Almond oil is used in massage, both as a carrier for aromatherapy fragrances and to
alleviate eczema, and ground almonds make a very good cleansing and softening
facial scrub.
Medicinal :The almond kernel is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which reduce
bad cholesterol levels and also in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, which research
has shown may prevent the accumulation of plaque in arteries and the formation of
cancer cells. They are also a good source of minerals, such as potassium, magnesium,
iron and phosphates. Its real mineral strength, however, is as a non-dairy source of
calcium, vital for the production of strong bones and teeth and the regulation of heart
beat and blood pressure. One ounce provides approximately 10% of the adult RDA at
240mg per 100g of drupe flesh - very good news indeed for vegans.
Could almonds also be a prospective ingredient in that elusive Elixir of Life perhaps? A major study, involving 26,000 members of the Seventh Day Adventist
Church in the USA, showed that those who ate almonds, peanuts and walnuts at least
6 times a week had a lifespan, on average, 7 years longer than that of the general
population and a much lower rate of heart attack. As with every Dr Jekyll, how ever,
there is the inevitable Mr Hyde lurking in the wings. The almond, especially the bitter
variety, contains the glucoside amygdalin which, with enzyme reaction, breaks down
into glucose, benzoic acid and hydrocyanic acid, becoming poisonous in large
quantities.
Almost all the seeds of the genus Prunus, (apricot, cherry, nectarine, peach, plum),
contain amygdalin and should be treated with caution. Even the lovely sweet almond
has its drawbacks: almonds are also very rich in oil, yielding just over half their
weight in fats and just 100g, flesh only, is a dieter's nightmare at a whopping great
612 calories!
Aniseed(Pimpinella anisum - Sweet cumin)
Aniseed was cultivated by all the ancient civilisations; Egyptians, Romans and
Greeks. It is referred to by Theophrastus and Pliny as ánison, the source of its
modern Latin specific name anisum. The Romans grew it, mainly in Tuscany, for both
culinary and medicinal purposes.
The seeds contain the volatile oil, anethole, found also in the unrelated star anise and
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liquorice, which is a digestive. The Greek physician, Hippocrates prescribed aniseed
for coughs and as a mild expectorant in the 5th century BC.
Aniseed was a very important ingredient, probably for those same digestive
properties, in Mustaceum, a spicy cake eaten at the end of very elaborate feasts by the
Romans, and which is thought by some to have been the earliest ancestor of the
modern wedding cake. In northern India too, aniseed is commonly used as a digestive.
Together with fennel, it is a main ingredient in paan, a seed, lime and betel leaf
preparation designed to sweeten the breath, settle the stomach and prevent flatulence
after rich meals (particularly Indian).
Medicinal : In 1597, John Gerard, the herbalist advised: “Anise helpeth the yeoxing
or hicket (hiccups).” and modern herbalists still recommend aniseed tea, taken warm
with honey for not only hiccups, but diarrhoea, colic, asthma , and with fennel added
to ease bronchial catarrh.
1 tsp of aniseed weighs 2g is 8 kcalories and contains fats, carbohydrates, sodium,
proteins and iron.
Apricots(Prunus armeniaca)
Despite its botanical specific name, which would, on first glance, seem to place its
origins in the Caucasus, the apricot actually originated in Northern China, probably
the Tien-Shan region; the Assyrian and Babylonian name for it was armanu, which
probably explains the armeniaca in its botanical name, rather than being any kind of
geographical reference. Archeaologists believe that it may have been cultivated
initially around 2,200BC, and in the great orchards of Mesopotamia, before spreading
westwards through Persia and Asia Minor.
Its use was spread by the Arabs, great lovers of fruit, who have long used mishmish,
as they call it, along with other dried fruits in their dishes - especially, of course, in
Mishmishiya, a traditional lamb and dried apricot stew. In Persia it was given the
name Zard-alu, or yellow plum, a name which lives on today in the Parsee Indian dish
of Jardaloo. The common name, apricot, is derived from the Roman name for the
fruit, praecocium, or precocious, given for the quickness of its ripening.
It seems to be generally agreed that the apricot was brought to England in 1524 by
Thomas Walk, gardener to Henry VIII and was known throughout the Tudor and
Elizabethan periods as the apricock. There are those who argue, however, that this
must have been a re-introduction of the fruit, and that it must originally have been
brought to our shores by the Romans, who prized it and, according to Pliny, were
willing to pay handsome sums for it when it first appeared in Rome. One very strong
argument against this theory may be that, as Britain was a far-flung and one of the
least favoured of Rome dominions, the transport of such luxury items would have
come quite far down the provisions list.
Apicius, whose recipes seem to reflect ingredients used by the very highest strata
within his society included a recipe for shoulder of pork with apricots in his
collection. William Turner dubbed it “an hasty peach tree” in 1548 and by 1597
Gerard, the famous herbalist, noted that he had been able to grow the tree in his
garden in Holborn.
Nowadays serious ‘foodies’ insist that the best dried apricots are the sun-dried Hunza
variety, which come from the eponymous small kingdom in north-western Kashmir,
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and which are reputed to be responsible for the extreme longevity of the Hunza
people.
Chinese healers believe that apricots make a potent energy tonic and that they can
also be used in the diet to suppress coughs and relieve asthma. Ironically, because of
the sulphur dioxide that is sometimes used in drying, modern medical advice is for
asthmatics to steer well clear of dried apricots, as the sulphites can trigger asthmatic
attacks.
Nutritionally, the apricot is a little powerhouse. It is full of beta-carotene, the
vegetable form of vitamin A - just three small, fresh apricots contain 2,770IU of betacarotene, more than 50% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA), for just 50
calories. The drying process only makes the fruit even more nutritious, although it
does boost its calories content: 75g of dried apricots is equal to 165 kcalories.
To balance this, however, the same amount contains a whole day’s supply of betacarotene - nearly 100 times the amount of vitamin A found in other fruit. It is also a
good source of boron, potassium and an impressive 20% of RDA for iron, which is
essential in the formation of red blood cells and in fighting fatigue. In fact, dried
apricot, along with other dried fruits, are recommended for those on a vegetarian or
vegan diet as an important source of non-animal iron. Beta-carotene is a powerful
anti-oxidant, which prevents plaque deposits building up in the arteries. Boron is now
thought to help in the prevention of osteoporosis, by helping post-menopausal women
retain their oestrogen, which helps in the absorption of calcium. Potassium helps to
maintain body fluid balance, normalising blood pressure and heart function.
Dried apricots are also higher in fibre than fresh, the soluble fibre helping to relieve
chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis and disorders of the gut.
Both types contain no sodium or fats. In addition to all the nutrients found in the fruit,
apricot is also low on the Glycaemic Index - the scale invented to help in the
treatment of diabetes, which is used to measure the rate at which blood sugar levels
rise when a particular carbohydrate bearing food is ingested. Low level GI foods are
more complex and hence digested more slowly, ensuring a longer feeling of satiety,
longer term energy maintenance and keeping blood sugar levels constant. Fresh
apricots have a GI of 57 and dried 30.
No accident, then, that dried apricots were a natural choice for NASA when choosing
compact, lightweight, high-output foods for their astronauts. One adverse note on
dried apricots may be that sulphites are often added to the fruit during the drying
process to maintain a lighter colour and preserve their beta-carotene content. Certain
groups, notably asthmatics are allergic to this and they can cause a severe reaction.
Fresh apricots too, also have their darker side; their kernels contain prussic acid,
cumulatively poisonous, which hasn’t stopped Man, ever contrary by nature, roasting
out the poison and turning them into alcoholic beverages, such as the eau de noyeaux
liqueur.
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Asafoetida(Ferula asafoetida, Ferula gummosa, Ferula narthaex, Felura
scorodosoma – Hing)
One of the more important members of the Umbelliferae family, which includes
parsley, fennel, carrot, cumin, coriander and caraway, amongst many others.
Cultivated by the Babylonians, Greek and Romans, Asafoetida is now grown
throughout western Asia, from Iran to Kashmir. Native to Afghanistan and Iran,
where it is often eaten whole as a vegetable and meat tenderiser. The plant faintly
resembles Cow Parsley; thick-ribbed stems with feathery-fine, lacinate, almost dilllike leaves.
The main attraction for the Indian cook, however, is the sap which is produced in its
stems and roots. In the early summer, these parts of the plant are cut to produce a
thick, milky, malodorous fluid, which quickly congeals to a brownish-orange resin on
contact with the air. It is this resin, sold both in lump and ground form, which is used
as a spice in cooking and in the cosmetic industry. This last use is its most surprising,
given its very smelly properties. Its specific name is derived from two word, the
Persian aze, mastic, and the Latin foetida, stinking.
The ancient Romans were particularly partial to it, despite the smell. They knew it as
Laser, lasertum or Laserpitum. Their celebrated gourmet/gourmand and early food
writer, Apicius used it extensively - especially in his own version of 'Lamb Curry':
(Roast Lamb flavoured with a spice mix of black pepper, spikenard, ginger, parsley).
It was, of course, very expensive and he advised storing it in a jar of pine nuts, using
the nuts, which absorb the flavour, and keeping the resin to flavour more nuts. The
Romans brought it even further west, where it was adopted, mainly by the
apothecaries in the monasteries for use in their lotions, potions and tinctures, the only
place where such practices could be safely carried out without the danger of being
accused of practising witchcraft. Perhaps it was the fact that it was named by these
god-fearing monks, (or perhaps we English are just basically a coarse and unromantic
lot - which we refuse to believe!), led to its local name here being Devil's Dung!
Its legendary digestive properties make it an essential ingredient in traditional Indian
vegetarian cooking where a lot of the basic foodstuffs come from that notoriously
difficult-to-digest group of food-stuffs, the pulses, lentils and beans. The Brahmin and
Jain sects in particular find it a useful flavouring as, when cooked, especially by
frying in oil, it loses the ‘fetid’ quality and takes on a garlicky-onion flavour, making
it a perfect substitute for those allia, specifically forbidden them under their dietary
laws. It is not surprising, then, that Ayurveda, the study of the life forces which
originated in the region most strongly linked with those cultures, has a great deal to
say about the benefits of Asafoetida.
Medicinal : It is said to be a digestive, disinfectant, and antispasmodic, mildly
diuretic, a stimulant for glandular secretion, an improver of circulation and
particularly useful for strengthening the nerves.
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Another industrial product is a resinoid, a tincture using alcoholic extraction. Steam
distillation removes the notorious smell, leaving a product ideal for use in perfumery
which has excellent fixative properties - so important for a perfume's staying power.
As with most exotic ingredients, Asafoetida is one of those anonymous stars of
modern life, being consumed on a virtual daily basis by people who have never heard
its name even uttered. How? Well, in 1835, one Lord Marcus Sandys, a former
governor of Bengal returned to England with a recipe for a certain liquor that he felt
he could not possible live without in his retirement ‘back in Blighty’. He took it to
two local chemists in Worcester - a Mr Lea and Mr Perrins, to be exact. The two
chemists made double the quantity, found it to be appalling stuff and hid the surplus
away in their cellars. A year or so later, however, further investigation during a
spring-clean revealed a very different product indeed. Over a century-and-a-half later,
Worcestershire Sauce is used world-wide in dishes, ranging from Cantonese stir-fries
to Spaghetti Bolognese, Lancashire Hot-Pots to Hashis Parmentier (Shepherd's Pie to
you and me). And, although the exact ingredients are still kept a closely guarded
secret, even in this day and age of extensive food labelling, what is one of the
mysterious essential ingredients? Why, good old Devil's Dung, of course!
Aubergine(Solanum melongena – Brinjal)
Aubergine is a member of the botanical family, Solanaceae, the Nightshades. It is
believed to be a native of India, its name being derived, via the Persian badingen,
Arabic al-badinjam and Spanish albadingena, all taken originally from the Sanskrit
name, vatingana, meaning an anti-flatulent vegetable.
The Italian melanzana and Greek melitzana are both derived from its Roman name
mala insana, madness apple. The West Indians call it the ‘Brown Jolly’, taking the
Indian brinjal even further along the phililogical evolutioniary timeline. Yet another
name, the eggplant, now extensively for all varieties in North America, was originally
used to described the small, white, egg-shaped variety which is still enjoyed pickled,
en escabeche, in Spain, where they were initially introduced by their Moorish
invaders.
Western Europeans were very slow to realise the plant's food potential, however, and
refused to grow it for any other reason than ornamental. The Spanish and Portuguese,
however, knew better and their colonists exported it to the New World, where it
thrived and became popular.
Like its cousins, the chili pepper and tomato, the aubergine is one of the foods
currently being investigated by scientists for its potential as a cancer combatant. They
have found that the solanaceae vegetables contain certain phytochemicals that have
been shown to block cancer formation. Aubergine contains terpenes, thought to
prevent oxidative cell damage that can cause certain types of tumours by deactivating
the steroidal hormones that promote their growth.
Aubergine also contains potassium, which helps to normalise blood pressure levels,
reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke and, when not cooked in oil, which it
soaks up alarmingly, is extremely low in calories at just 15 per 100g portion.
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Avocado(Persea drymifolia, Persea americana - Butter-fruit, alligator pear)
Excavations of Mayan and Aztec burial grounds have indicated that this member of
the laurel family, related to cinnamon, camphor and sassafras, may have been grown
by Man over 8,000 years ago. Avocado was a mainstay of the Central American diet
for centuries and its modern, common name is a product of the attempts of early
explorers to reproduce its original Aztec name, ahuacatl.
The Spanish transplanted it to Jamaica and in 1692 Sir Hans Sloane listed it in his
catalogue of Jamaican flora as the alligator pear-tree, probably because of the
similarity of its skin to alligator hide. The avocado has had a fairly unremarkable
journey through history, being neither pretty nor fiery enough, to command instant
culinary success.
The reaction to its introduction into Bengal in the late 19th century was less than
rapturous, with the authors of one publication of the day commenting that, “had it
been worth eating it would have come long before.” and dismissing it as being so
tasteless that it would need liberal amounts of salt and pepper to make it as tasty even
as marrow!
Despite its critics, the avocado travelled and gained fans amongst those willing to try
it and now it is grown in most tropical countries around the world: Australasia, South
Africa, West Indies, California, Florida, Hawaii, the Phillipines, the Mediterranean
and Israel joining the original suppliers in South America.
As with all acquired tastes, however, the avocado grew on us, and gradually, we are
coming to realise the value and versatility of this fruit. It makes a non-combative
partner when simply split and filled with a delicate seafood; mixes well with other,
stronger flavours or crisper textures as a filling or salad; mashes with spices and other
fruits and vegetables for use as a dip or sauce; grills beautifully when sliced and
layered with cheese and mushrooms; and makes an excellent and unusual garnish to
soups, cubed and added just before serving.
Other names for avocado, such as midshipman’s butter, butter-pear and butter fruit
also bear testament to its long-time use as a spread and as a substitute for dairy
spreads. Ironically, the nick-name that probably suits the avocado best of all, is one
that doesn’t seem to have stuck - the lady pear. No, not because of any resemblance to
the figure of a woman, but because, of all the fruits, the avocado is, perhaps, one the
most female-friendly in the plant kingdom.
Medicinal : Avocado is a rich source of vitamin E which is thought to help relieve
irregular periods, the symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome, menstrual pain and, as a
powerful anti-oxidant, is thought to protect against the ageing process, preventing
oxidation within body and skin cells. It may also be linked to female fertility: the
scientists who discovered vitamin E initially called it tocopherol, Greek for ‘bring
forth children’, after they discovered that a lack of the vitamin in laboratory rats
brought about infertility in the animals. All this good news for the goose, though,
doesn’t mean that the gander has been forgotten. Men, too can benefit. The same antioxidant power of vitamin E protects against cancer and helps to prevent the
coagulation of the blood which can lead to heart attack and stroke.
Vitamin E also promotes white blood cell activity, especially in the production of Tcells which are the white cells which fight infections. The avocado used to be
regarded as fattening because of the quite high fat content (25% in an average fruit).
Most of this, as with palm and olive oils, is in the form of monounsaturated fats which
help to lower the LDL, or bad, cholesterol levels in the body. 100g of avocado flesh
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equals around 190 kcalories and contains 19.5g of fats. It also contains protein,
carbohydrate, fibre, calcium, iron, sodium, a good amount of potassium, betacarotene (vitamin A), Thiamin (vitamin B1), folic acid, and vitamin C.
Bamboo Shoots(Bambusa sp.)
Bamboo is one of the most versatile and widely used plants, being used for purposes
as diverse as house and bridge building to cups, hats, baskets and even food.
Part of the Gramineae, or grass, family, there are about 480 species of bamboo in all.
The young shoots are sliced and used in Oriental cooking. The shoots are a good
source of magnesium, which is necessary in the development of bones and teeth and
producing chemical energy in body cells.
100g of bamboo shoots equal a mere 27 kcalories and also contain water, protein, a
slight trace of fats, carbohydrate, calcium, a little bit of iron and a quite good 10% of
the recommended daily allowance for zinc. It also contains carotene (vitamin A),
vitamin B1, vitamin B2, niacin, vitamin C and some folic acid.
Banana(Musa sapientum, musa paradisiacal)
References to banana cultivation in India go back to at least 5,000BC and in Hindu
tradition it is known as ‘the forbidden fruit’. Indeed, some even think that it was more
likely to have been the banana, not the apple, which was Eden’s forbidden fruit of the
tree of knowledge of good and evil. This theme is taken further with two of the
species specific names both reflecting the knowledge theme; musa sapientum
(dessert) ‘sages’ banana’ and musa paradisiaca (plantain) ‘banana of paradise’. The
name musa is from the Sanskrit, Moca, via its Arabic counterpart, mauz.
Chinese banana cultivation is thought to have started in around AD 200, with the fruit
reaching Africa during the 1st modern millennium, then to the Mediterranean and
Phillipines around 1,000 years ago and the Canary Islands by the early 15th century. It
is officially recorded that the plant was taken westwards by Friar Tomas de
Berlanga, (later Bishop of Panama), in 1516, to Santo Domingo, although remains
found in early Peruvian tombs may provide evidence of earlier arrivals via transPacific migration.
Their appearance in England caused quite a stir and a bunch of bananas was displayed
as a public attraction and novelty at Johnson’s Herbalry in the City of London in
1627. It wasn’t until 1878, when Fyffe, Hudson & Co started shipping supplies from
the Canary Islands, that any signifant quantities reached our shore. As synonymous as
Fyffe’s became with the banana in this country, however, it was actually the shipping
magnate, Sir Alfred Jones, who was largely responsible for the greatest growth in
banana imports. He ensured that his ships carried bananas in any spare cargo space
and even hired costermongers and barrows to ensure that they were sold immediately
upon unloading, before they could over-ripen.
So London and Liverpool, whose docks Sir Alfred’s ships came into, were the first
cities in England to be introduced to the banana. Further boosts to banana imports
came in 1900 when there was a decline in the importation of cochineal from the
Canaries and bananas were substituted, further aided in 1901 with the introduction of
the new refrigerated ships which meant that the cargo would ripen more slowly.
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Banana cargoes became almost an obsession with the British, and, from the mid-19th
century until the outbreak of the Second World War, arrivals were reported in the
daily national newspapers such as the Times.
Banan is the Arabic word for 'finger', and was probably assigned to the fruit more for
its finger-shape than for the fact that it is, indeed, Mother Nature's perfect finger food.
Healthy, filling, no core, no pips and conveniently wrapped in a disposable and
biodegradable skin which is also, happily a great aid to eating the fruit cleanly and
hygienically.
It's not just the fruit of the banana, however, which can be used. The banana flower is
eaten in many Asian countries; boiled, sliced and used in dishes such as salads, curries
or as a vegetable accompaniment. The leaves, too, serve many purposes in the tropics;
providing a convenient wrapping medium for foodstuffs; plates and platters; cups and
bowls for fruits and desserts; containers for snack foods; linings for cooking pots and
utensils; and as a way of wrapping foods such as fish or rice for steaming.
There are hundreds of varieties of banana, although we mainly see the fairly straight,
yellow dessert types of the Cavendish family in this country. However, the Red, with
its soft, orange flesh and pear-drop flavour, the small ovoid Apple, whose flavour is,
as its name would suggest, very apple-like, and the cooking Plantain varieties are
starting to appear in major supermarket chains and specialist retailers.
In 1994, Eurocrats in Brussels, never having heard the old Music Hall ditty 'I've never
seen a straight banana', actually introduced legislation detailing the ideal
specifications for a banana destined for import into the community: the Euro-banana
should be 14cm (51/2 inches) long by 2.5cm (1 inch) and should ‘not be abnormally
curved’. All this with a straight face!
The banana is not just a pretty fruit that the kids can use as a toy gun in their packed
lunches, though. Looks aside, it has actually been described as the ‘perfect’ food by
many a food writer and nutritionist. One famous American professor of nutrition,
Earl Mindell, has been quoted as saying that if he was ever stranded on a desert
island, the two things he would need to survive would be a banana tree and water!
Medicinal : Chinese medicine recommends eating one or two soft bananas morning
and night on an empty stomach to relieve constipation; and, apparently, water which
has had banana peel boiled in it makes an effective hangover cure. Traditional
Oriental medical practitioners also recommend bananas to treat hypertension and to
prevent gastric ulcers.
The sugars in ripe bananas take 45-60 minutes to be absorbed by the body, giving a
sustained release of energy. Which is why bananas are often the chosen energy snack
for athletes and why the tennis players at Wimbledon get through 91kg (2001b) of
bananas per day during the Open Championship fortnight. The soluble fibre in ripe
bananas is good for both constipation and diarrhoea but, ironically, unripe bananas
contain resistant starches, which have not yet been converted to sugars, and which
cannot be digested in the small intestine, leading to them fermenting in the large
intestine and causing wind.
High in potassium, the average banana contains 451 mg - a full quarter of the
recommended daily allowance (RDA). Potassium is essential to body fluid balance.
This can prevent cramps and is important for normal blood pressure and heart
function, a very useful weapon in the prevention of heart attacks and stroke. In a
recent study, patients being treated for high blood pressure who were put on a high
potassium diet, were able to either dramatically reduce or even eliminate their
medication. Also, it has been found that those taking diuretics, especially for the
treatment of high blood pressure, or people who have been suffering from chronic
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diarrhoea, should eat a banana or two a day in order to replace the potassium which is
literally washed away through their system.
Bananas are also a good source of vitamin B6, providing more than 25% of the daily
requirement, together with about 15% of a non-smokers requirement for vitamin C.
Vitamin B6 is a natural immune system booster and helps the body to convert and use
proteins and fats and, with the vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, helps to fight
infections.
Investigations are still under way on the effects of bananas on the lining of the
stomach. There have been claims that they stimulate cell and mucous production, thus
thickening and strengthening the surface, helping to heal existing ulcers and staving
off new ones. Apparently, the jury is still out on this, though it is generally agreed that
a banana will act as an antacid and counter indigestion and heartburn, and that a ripe
banana is one of the few foodstuffs least likely to trigger an allergic reaction.
And all for just 95 kcalories!
On the 'feelgood factor' side, the fruit releases dopanine and seratonin, two chemicals
hugely enjoyed by the brain, a fact which led a hopeful few in the 1960’s, (when
experimentation in such things seemed to be at a peak), to try smoking dried banana
skins.
A recent innovation in household stores and catalogues has been the banana tree
which, at first glance may seem a silly idea, but actually is the best way to keep the
ethylene gas, which causes fruit to ripen, from spoiling the other fruit in your bowl.
On the other hand, this process can be turned to advantage when a hard avocado or
bowl of home-grown, green tomatoes need to be ripened speedily.
Basil(Ocimum sanctum, ocimum basilicum – Tulsi)
Basil (ocimum sanctum) is the only member of the mint family which is native to
India, where it was called arjaka in the ancient language, Sanskrit. Its Latin botanical
names are derived from the Greek okimon, ‘fragrant lipped’ and basilikan, ‘Royal’.
Feelings about Basil have mixed throughout history, the herb having been variously
associated with death, religious ritual, medicine, fertility, erotica and even as being
responsible for the breeding of scorpions. It is probably for this reason, following a
homeopathic logic, that it was recommended at one time for the treatment of scorpion
stings and snakebites. The ancients, although holding mixed feelings about the herbs,
even swore oaths on it in courts of law.
Culpeper, who combined astrology with herbalism, assigned it to the ruling planet
Mars, associated with the sign of Scorpio. It has been used in European magic lore to
attract love, wealth, protection, in love spells and incenses for purification and
exorcism rites. It was also believed in some country communities that carrying basil
in the pocket would attract wealth and was rubbed directly onto the skin to serve as a
simple perfume.
Ocimum sanctum is sacred to the Hindu god, Vishnu and his avatar, Krishna and is
placed on temple and house altars for its peppery, carnation-like scent. Another
traditional Hindu custom was to place a sprig of basil on the dead before burial to
ensure safe passage to the next world.
Medicinal : Ayurvedic practitioners recommend a decoction of European basil, (O.
basilicium), for coughs and colds and prescribe a paste made from the leaves mixed
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with crushed black peppercorns for malarial fever. The juice, expressed from the
leaves, is used as a gargle for pharyngitis, as eardrops, and to treat skin complaints
and insect bites.
Unani Tibb, the medicine and dietetics system started by Avicenna in the 10th
century, lists European basil as being useful in the treatment of flatulence, bad
eyesight, melancholy, rheumatism and influenza.
Bush basil, which grows in South America is also revered in a similar way, being
sacred to the Haitian love goddess, Erzulie. European herbalists have also long used
the crushed leaves externally for eye problems and to ease arthritis and internally for
nerves, headaches and faintness. It contains rhymol, eugenol and camphor, making its
essential oil an ideal ingredient for soaps, perfumes, mouthwashes and toothpastes,
and it was the camphor especially for which it was once used mixed with snuff, in
powdered form, to clear the head.
These oils are called monoterpenes; simple lipids which do not contain fatty acids and
which have been found to be potent antioxidants, helping to protect against heart
disease and cancers.
Nutritionally, 100g of fresh basil leaf contains 29.09 kcalories, 033g fats, 5.08g
carbohydrate, 4.44g fibre, 2.9mg sodium, 1.20g protein, 781iu vitamin A, 15.30mg
vitamin C and 3.5mg iron.
Bay(Laurus nobilis)
The 'noble laurel', bay, is a native of the Mediterranean and Asia Minor, and has been
used extensively for medicinal, culinary and even magical purposes since ancient
times. Two main explanations for the origin of its botanical name have been put
forward, both of which seem to bear merit: from the Celtic, laur, meaning green; from
the Latin laudo, honour or praise. The specific name, nobilis, is the Latin for noble.
It is a key herb in mythology, ancient Greek especially: Apollo, the sun god, tried to
force himself upon Daphne, a river nymph. In a desperate attempt to escape, she
called upon the Earth Mother, Gaia, for help. Just as Apollo's arms wound around her,
Daphne disappeared and a bay laurel sprang up in her place. This moved Apollo so
much that he immediately pronounced the tree sacred and took to wearing a crown
made from its leaves. His temple at Delphi, the site of the famous Delphic Oracle, was
thatched with a bay-leaf roof in order to protect the Oracle, who could be vulnerable
in times of trance - a trance which could even have been aided by chewing the leaves
of the laurel, which has slightly narcotic powers. These protective powers carry
through into the folklore and myth of a lot of societies. Bay is said to protect against
thunder and lightning; it is said that no bay tree has ever been struck by lightning. It
was also said to have been protection against witches and evil spirits and small bay
trees were traditionally grown by the entrances of homes to keep these malevolents 'at
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bay'. Consequently, superstition holds that when a bay tree dies, it is a bad omen
indeed.
Bay was also seen as a boost to athletic prowess, possibly because of its links with
Apollo, and early victors in the original Olympic Games were awarded crowns made
from laurel leaves. Even today, 'laureate' is used to refer to someone who has reached
the very top of their discipline, as in Poet Laureate and, when someone is being
warned not to let their standards slip, they are very often reminded 'not to sit on their
laurels', or, in other words, rely on past glory.
Herbal magic uses it to ward off negativity and one of its uses is as a trigger for
meaningful and inspirational dreams - a young maiden will dream of the man she will
marry if she pins 5 leaves to the pillow she sleeps upon!
Medicinal : In medicine, it has been used for inducing abortions, countering the
effects of snakebite, urinary tract problems, indigestion and flatulence. Externally, bay
leaf oil is used to help rheumatism.
Many cuisines use bay extensively - it is one of the basic herbs used in the French
bouquet garni. Bay is used to flavour sauces, stocks and cooking waters and is used
when cooking pulses to help guard against flatulence. Indian cooks often refer to bay
leaf, but this is frequently the leaf of the cassia tree, cinnamomum aromaticum, which
is interchangeable in most Asian recipes. Again, even in the kitchen, its protective
powers were relied upon as bay leaves were traditionally placed in flour bins to deter
weevils.
One teaspoonful of bay weighs 2g and is 8.11 kcalories. The leaf contains fats,
carbohydrate, fibre, sodium, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C and iron.
Beet(Beta maritima, beta vulgaris)
Quite a large family which includes Swiss chard, seakale beet, mangelwurzel, leaf
beet, sugar beet and spinach beet. The leaves of these plants have been eaten by Man
since prehistory and are native to a large area ranging from the British Isles to India.
Archaeologists believe that their earliest origins may have been in the Mediterranean,
and varieties are still to be found growing wild as far as Iran. The roots were being
eaten by about 300BC, although many cultures saw these primarily as medicinal for
many centuries. Theophrastus referred to the beet in his writings, as did Pliny, who
referred to their use in salads, and Apicius, the great Roman gourmet and cookery
writer, included it in his viridian, or greens, for broth.
The red beet was introduced to Britain in the 17th century, our common beets all
having been a lighter, yellow colour to this point, much to the delight of Gerard, who
saw it as an excellent addition to salads.
In 1590 the French botanist Olivier de Serres extracted sugar syrup from the roots of
one of the members of the beta vulgaris group, but it wasn’t until around 1800, when
Frederick the Great of Prussia lent his support to German chemist, Karl Franz Achard,
that the beet was taken seriously as a source of sugar and a small factory was set up.
Twelve years later, during the Napoleonic wars, Napoleon himself ordered full scale
production of sugar from beets to replace the cane sugar which was no longer
available to France. Not without difficulties, the industry grew until beet was the
major source of sugar in Northern Europe.
Medicinal : The nutritional pros for beets are that the anthocyanins which give the
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vegetable its colour - the purple pigment, betacyanin with yellow pigment,
betaxanthin, are what give the beet its vivid redness - are antioxidant and can help to
protect against cancer. The same properties also make beet a good blood cleanser and
immune booster, further backed up by its vitamin A and vitamin C content. The
colourants are very stable, making it the most reliable and one of the safest plantbased colourings.
It also contains iron, safeguarding against anaemia and the leaves are rich in folates,
also known as folic acid, which is used to help prevent birth defects. In addition, the
leaves also contain xeaxanthin and lutein, which are thought to protect against
macular degeneration, a common cause of blindness in the elderly and which are also
powerful anti-carginogens.
On the down side, the oxalic acid in dark green leaf vegetables such as beet leaf can
hinder the absorption of calcium, bad news for those in the deficiency risk groups,
such as post-menopausal women.
100g of beet contains 47 kcalories, composed of fats, carbohydrate, fibre, sodium,
protein vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and manganese. 100g of beet leaf equals 23
kcalories made up of fats, carbohydrate, fibre sodium, protein, a good deal of vitamin
A, vitamin C, Iron and manganese.
Black Pepper(Piper nigrum - Kali mirchi)
The Keralans call black pepper ‘the King of Spices’ and it certainly has occupied the
‘top-slot’ in the history of Man’s obsession with spices and condiments for centuries.
Greek and Roman courtesans used a mixture of black pepper and myrrh, mixed with
equal quantities of two scents named Cyprus and Egyptian as a love potion.
Pliny (1st century AD) refers to the spice, complaining about its high price and that
white pepper cost twice that of black. In AD 408, Alaric the Goth demanded 3,000lb
(1,360kg) of black pepper as part of his ransom for Rome. The Romans paid over the
pepper, which Alaric more than thankfully accepted before sacking the city anyway in
AD410!
The statutes of Ethelred (978-1016), provide the earliest reference to a pepper trade in
England, stipulating that ‘Esterlings’ who brought their ships up the River Thames to
Billingsgate should pay a toll at Christmas and Easter, together with 10lb of pepper.
One of the oldest guilds in the City of London is the Guild of Pepperers, who were
fined for not having a Royal Licence in 1180, and were registered as Grosserii, or
wholesalers, in 1328. Not surprisingly, it is from this word that the modern ‘grocer’ is
derived.
The term ‘peppercorn rent’, nowadays tending to denote a nominal fee, actually
started off meaning that such a contract was taken very seriously indeed, based on the
cost of a given weight of peppercorns per year, which were very expensive and seen
as a more stable form of currency than money.
European nobles found it indispensible during the Middle Ages, using it both as a
seasoning and a preservative. It’s value grew to at least equal that of silver or gold and
in 1204, the Venetians, who were supposed to transport the Fourth Crusade against
Muslim Egypt, persuaded the penniless crusaders to loot the Christian city of
Constantinople instead, wresting control of the spice trade for Venice in payment.
It was the quest for a new source of pepper, second only to the desire to find gold,
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which fuelled the enthusiasm of the great explorers of the Renaissance. In 1498,
Portugal’s Vasco da Gama landed at Calicut on the Malabar coast and offered beads
and baubles in trade for pepper and other spices. The king was offended at such a
mediocre offer, refused, and Da Gama promised to return with gold. He did, indeed
return, five years later, with 10 warships, and showered Calicut with lead, not gold.
Again, as with all spices, pepper has been imbued with magical qualities: pepper,
caraway and fennel seeds were said to keep away evil forces when worn in a pouch
around the neck and peppercorns were mixed with salt and scattered around homes to
keep out negative influences.
The peppercorns are the fruit of a climbing plant which are left to varying states of
ripeness and treated in different ways to obtain the black, green and white pepper
spices. Black pepper is obtained from fruits which are picked just before reaching full
ripeness, fermented and then spread out in the sun to dry; white from ripe fruit, picked
when scarlet, before being soaked, the endocarp removed for fermentation; green
pepper by pickling unripe fruits to prevent them darkening. It is the pungent alkeloid,
piperine which gives the bite to peppercorns, and although white pepper has more
piperine, it has less of the aromatic principles found in black pepper.
Other members of the Piper family are P. longum, used in India; P. betle, also an
Indian native, whose leaves are wrapped around betel seeds and the juice of the
gambier as a digestive and breath sweetener; P. Cubeba from Malaysia, which was
very popular in this country during Medieval times; P. retroflexum from Indonesia; P.
guineense, also known as Guinea or Benin pepper, a milder relative from West Africa.
Red pepper, also known as false pepper or Peruvian pepper, is obtained from a
different family of plants entirely, Schinus molle, and evergreen of Central American
origin. They are used in Peru for making vinegar and alcoholic drinks. Xanthoxylum
piperitum, also called Japanese Prickly Ash, whose orange berries are used to make
the Japanese pepper-spice, sansho, hit the headlines recently as a ‘cure’ for grey hair.
Dr Ohji Ifuku and his team of researchers at the cosmetics firm, Shiseido, found that
extract of sansho can reactivate the pigment cells, or melanocytes, which give hair its
colour and which stop reproducing as the body ages.
Medicinal : Ayurveda, the healing doctrine which grew up in the home of pepper,
naturally sees the spice as extremely beneficial to health. It is regarded as being dry,
therapuetically heating and a digestive. It sharpens the appetite and stimulates the
production of gastric juices and helps to expel excess wind. The essential oil is
secreted by the lungs, so aiding in the treatment of pharyngitis and tonsilitis, and the
recommended application is to take powdered pepper mixed with honey three times a
day. A pinch of powdered black pepper, stirred into hot, sweetened milk is also used
in Ayurveda to cure sore throats and headcolds. Pastes of black pepper are used for
rheumatism and skin diseases and a hot dedoction of black pepper is used as an
effective mouthwash to ease toothache. Its ability to promote sweating is also
capitalised upon - a mixture of pepper, ginger and honey is prescribed for malarial
fever.
Unnani Tibb, the doctrine founded by Avicenna 1,000 years ago also values pepper as
a medicine, and prescribing it internally for fever, colic and indigestion, and as a
remedy for throat and gum infections and externally for rheumatism.
1 teaspoon of ground black pepper weighs 2.1g and has an energy value of 5
kcalories. It contains carbohydrate, protein, vitamin A, vitamins B1 and B2, niacin,
sodium, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, copper, zinc and
selenium.
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Caraway(Carum cari)
Probably the oldest herb known to Man, it has been in use since earliest times. Seeds
have been found in the Swiss Mesolithic excavations dating back more than 8,000
years and caraway is mentioned in ancient texts such as the Bible. It is unsure where it
acquired its name, different sources indicating either karon from the Greek, or an
ancient Arabic word for ‘seed’.
The whole plant is edible and, in this country during the Middle Ages, the root was
boiled and eaten as a vegetable and the leaves chopped and used in soups, broths and
salads. In Elizabethan England caraway seed cakes, breads and biscuits were common
and a tradition grew up whereby farm labourers were given caraway cakes after wheat
sowing. This was probably linked to the folklore superstition that the seed was
supposed to inspire loyalty and fidelity.
Caraway seeds would be fed to livestock and poultry to prevent them wandering,
woven into collars around their necks and caraway cakes would be placed in
dovecotes and pigeon-lofts to ensure their return.. There was even a popular belief
that anything containing caraway was protected from theft - even to the extent to
believing that the culprit would be imprisoned at the scene until discovered - meant
that it was secreted into many unexpected places, from treasure chests to husbands’
shirt-hems! Caraway was always included in village love potions.
The flavouring is still very popular in Germany and Austria, where it is used in cakes,
breads, sauerkraut, kummel and Munster cheese. Medicinally, caraway has been a
long-standing remedy for indigestion. The seeds were infused to make teas, cordials
and to make digestive sweets or ‘comfits’.
Nicholas Culpeper, the herbalist and astrologer author of The English Physitian,
(1652), wrote “The powder of the seed (caraway) put into a poultice taketh away
black and blue spots of blows and bruises.” However, approbation has not always
been widespread. Ogden Nash, for example, obviously wasn’t impressed:
The Abbé Voltaire, alias Arouet,
Never denounced the seed of the caraway;
Sufficient proof, if proof we need,
That he never bit into a caraway seed.’
The Caraway Seed
Ayurveda lists caraway as warming and incorporate it into infusions with its cousins,
aniseed and fennel, for chest and stomach complaints, used as an expectorant and for
relief of flatulence. Unani Tibb, too, mentions its use for these purposes in addition to
treating nausea and toothache. Modern European herbalists recommend using
caraway to stimulate the appetite, relieve indigestion and to ease menstrual cramps.
1tsp caraway seeds weigh 2g and contain 2 kcalories, fats, carbohydrates, fibre,
sodium, protein, vitamin A and iron.
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Cardamom(Elettaria cardamomum, - elaichi)
The first recorded use of cardamom appears in Ayurvedic texts from around 4th
century BC as a cure for urinary tract infections and as a weight loss aid, and the
ancient Greeks were already trading the spice by that time. It also gained an early
reputation as an aphrodisiac and accordingly, Nicholas Culpeper assigned it the
astrological ruler Venus in his work, The English Physitian, published in 1652 - even
though it is actually a member of the same family as ginger, which is ruled by Mars.
In herbalist witchcraft, the essential oil of cardamom is used in magic for love and
lust!
Cardamom grows wild in the southern Indian tropical mountain forests and it is now
cultivated in India, Thailand, and Central America. However, it is generally agreed
that the best cardamom comes from its native Cardamom Hills of Kerala, where it is
known as elettari, altered to elaichi in other parts of India, hence its Latin generic
name, and over 2,500 tons are exported from India annually.
This rush-like shrub, which grows to around 2m (over 6 ft) produces the small
greenish-brown fruit pods. Trilocular, nut-sized capsules, containing 4-8 seeds each,
which are dried in the semi-ripe capsules and have an aromatic odour and a sweetish,
warm, pungent taste. Around 5% of these are bleached white and fumed with
hydrogen peroxide, although many people feel that this detracts from their quality. A
further 10% are shucked for their seeds, and, although convenient, this becomes an
expensive way of buying cardamom, as 101b of pods yields just 6oz of seeds. This
places it third in the ‘expensive spice’ pecking order, below saffron and vanilla.
Medicinal : Unani Tibb, the ancient Persian medicine and dietetic regime,
recommends cardamom for all stomach disorders, as a heart stimulant, a tonic, an
aphrodisiac and as a condiment.
From Persia, too, comes the ancient recipe for regaining an errant husband.
Apparently, wronged wives were advised to place cardamom, cloves and cinnamon in
a jar, over which she was to recite a passage from the Koran seven times backwards.
The jar was then to be filled with rosewater and left to steep. The water was then used
to soak the husband’s shirt, together with a piece of paper bearing his name and the
names of four angels. The mixture was then heated over a fire and, as the mixture
boiled, the husband’s affections would return.
An essential Indian food ingredient and a traditional Arabian coffee flavouring,
cardamom is used as a breath sweetener, and to stimulate appetite and to relieve
flatulence in aromatherapy.
1tsp of ground spice = 6 cals, and the spice contains vitamin Bl, B2, niacin, trace
sodium, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc.
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Carrot(Daucus carota, v. sativa – Gajja)
A native of Afghanistan, early varieties were a purple, dark red or black colour and
were cultivated from early times. Remains of early carrots have been found at
excavations of early Swiss lake dwellings and it was cultivated in the Mediterranean
region many years BC. The plant was listed as being among those in the famous
gardens of King Merodach-Baladan of Babylon in the 8th century BC, but in the herb
category, suggesting that the root was probably discounted at that stage. The exact
lineage is difficult to trace as it was often confused with its close relative, the parsnip,
by early horticulturists.
The earliest written evidence of the carrot comes from Ibn al-Awam, an Arab writer
living in Andalusia in Spain during their Moorish occupation, who described two
varieties; one purple and another, less flavour-some yellowy-green variety, both of
which were used as a vegetable and in salads.
The carrot arrived in France and the Low Countries in 14th century and finally
reached Britain in the 15th century. A pale yellow strain appeared in the 16th century,
having had the dark purple anthocyanin colouring bred out by the Dutch, and which
became very popular. The now familiar orange variety, developed by the Dutch
breeders, appeared in the 17th century.
Carrots, like beets, contain sugars and were investigated as a source of refined sugar,
but proved to be inferior to beets. It is this sweet quality, however, that has seen their
use in sweet preparations since the Middle Ages in carrot cake, Christmas puddings
and jams. On the Indian subcontinent, too, this quality has been utilised, and the carrot
has been a successful and very popular ingredient to make dishes for the sweettoothed, such as halwa.
Medicinal : They have gained a place in the ‘superfood’ category for their betacarotene content. Beta-carotene is the vegetable pre-cursor to vitamin A, and just one
raw carrot provides twice the recommended daily allowance for an adult. The betacarotene is converted into vitamin A by the body and is excellent for eyes, skin and
mucous membranes and is a powerful anti-oxidant which has been shown to protect
against cancers, cataracts, coronary disease and stroke.
Another derivative of vitamin A, retinoic acid, already used in cosmetic face and antiwrinkle creams, have been found to stop tumour cells multiplying by accelerating
them through their reproductive stage, thus preventing growth. Tests carried out on
eight children at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, all suffering from
neuroblastoma, a rare cancer which attacks the nerve tissues, found that the cells
matured more quickly when exposed to retoinic acid, dying off when it was
withdrawn. The vegetable is also fibre-rich, especially in calcium pectate, a soluble
fibre that has been shown to actually reduce bad cholesterol levels.
Carrots are also a good source of boron, the trace mineral which is believed to be
important in helping to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, when taken with a good supply
of calcium and magnesium. and in promoting strong bones and efficient brain
functioning. Other minerals are sulphur, which fights infections and skin disorders,
and potassium and magnesium which also help to keep heart, teeth and bones healthy.
Cooked carrots are rated at 49 in the Glycaemic Index, the scale invented to help in
the treatment of diabetes, and which is used to measure the rate at which blood sugar
levels rise when a particular carbohydrate bearing food is ingested. Lower level GI
foods, (those below 50 are seen as best), are more complex and hence digested more
slowly, ensuring a longer feeling of satiety, longer term energy maintenance and
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keeping blood sugar levels constant.
Bugs Bunny knows his stuff - all in all, a dieter’s dream at just 40 calories for one
large, raw carrot.
Cauliflower(Brassica oleracae – Gobi)
A member of the cabbage family, the French dubbed it chou de Chypre, (Cyprus
cabbage), as it was introduced to Western Europe from Cyprus in the late 16th and
early 17th centuries. It is known to have been grown by the Arabs during the Middle
Ages.
The white inflorescence is a sterile flowering structure, the lack of colour being
managed by keeping it covered during growth, avoiding exposure to the sun to
prevent the formation of chlorophyll.
Mark Twain, writing in Pudd’nhead Wilson’s Calendar, made the observation that,
“Cauliflower is nothing but a cabbage with a college education.” Maybe, if he’d
known how good it was for him, he may have afforded it a little more respect.
As with all the cruciferous vegetables, people who include a high number of the
family in their diet, such as cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts etc, have been found
to have a lower incidence of cancer than those who do not.
Medicinal : Recent studies have also found that they contain a compound called
sulphurophane, which may stimulate cancer-fighting enzymes in the body.
Cauliflower also contains vitamin C, potassium (essential for the maintenance of
normal body fluid balance and the regulation of heart function and blood pressure),
fibre and essential minerals, and a 100g serving equals a mere 30 kcalories.
Chilli(Capsicum frutescens, capsicum annuum – Mirch)i
'In fourteen hundred and ninety two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue .........' . Whether
this Spanish-funded Italian, who accidentally discovered the 'New World' whilst
sailing west looking for an easier to route to the rich, spice redolent cities of Asia, was
actually the first to do so, is probably less important than impact that this voyage had
on the rest of the world and, in particular, Europe.
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Never before had there been such a wealth of new resources, virtually laid at the feet
of the European nations. The 'Columbian Exchange' gave the 'Old World' new wealth,
drugs, foods and the Chilli pepper.
One of the main reasons for Columbus' trip had been to find a new source of supply of
the 'King of Spices', pepper, so, imagine his delight when one of the plants he
discovered actually produced a pepper, albeit a strange variety. A Peter Martyr,
writing in September 1493, was one of the first to report that Christopher Columbus
had brought back to Spain “...peppers more pungent than that from Caucasus..”
The native Americans had, of course been using them for a long time and
archaeological evidence has been found that chillies were gathered from around
7,500BC and cultivated over 3,000BC, predating the ancesters of the Mayans, the
Olmecs, by about 1,000 years. The Mayans, whose civilisation occupied the area
between the two Americas - now known as Guatemala, Mexico and Belize, used
chillies medicinally for stomach disorders.
Some suggest that the fact that its seeds are encased in a fleshy pod or capsule gave it
its botanical genus name, capiscum. Others say that its root is from the Greek for 'I
bite' - Kapto. Either explanation would seem to have its merits. The common names
are easier to track down: Cayenne is named after the capital of French Guyana; chilli
is an altered form of Chile, after the country - it is still spelt this way in the United
States; and piment and pimento from the Spanish word for pepper, pimiento.
Southern Europe quickly embraced this fiery little fruit. Pungent and jewel-coloured,
it soon became a favourite of the Portuguese, and Vasco da Gama felt it to be
indispensable enough to take with him on his marathon trip to India in 1498, thus,
apparently, starting one of the most successful relationships in cookery: Indian food
and the chilli.
The plant, in all its varieties, flourished and found favour in tropical India, and its
cultivation and use travelled northwards to the nomadic Mongolians, through China,
where it became a firm favourite in Szechuan, to come back, full circle, via the Turks,
who, at war with the Portuguese, returned the sweeter, milder variety, Paprika, which
became such an important part of the cuisine of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Paprika, or pimento, is a member of the smoother, milder capsicum annuum branch of
the family, which also includes the bell pepper, C. annuum var. grossum. The
capsicum arrived in Hungary in 1699 and only became an indispensable ingredient in
their Gulyas (goulash), in the 18th century. This now famous dish was originally a
meat and onion stew, developed by Magyar shepherds, and carried by them in
containers made from sheep stomachs as they followed their flocks, dating from the
9th century.
Today, the chilli, is the most popular spice in the world. Used all over the Indian subcontinent, it is popular in Southeast Asia, Szechuan in China, Central America and the
USA, where, usually in its liquid, Tabasco, form, it is central to the Creole, Cajun and
Texan kitchens. Amazingly, Tabasco sauce, made from the eponymous chilli which is
one of the hottest of the species, was invented 120 years ago by an Irish immigrant
family, the McIlhennys, at Avery Island in Louisiana.
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Southern Europe too, has embraced the chilli: Portugal, Spain, especially the Basques,
and the Italian regions of Abruzzi and Basilicata use it to very good effect. European
Gypsies were fond of peppers and used them in their love charms. The fruits, like
caraway, cumin and dill were also seen in folklore to inspire fidelity and it was
believed that two red peppers, tied together and placed under the marital pillow,
would prevent a partner straying. It would seem that only the French have resisted its
fiery charm, although, modern French chefs, such as Raymond Blanc, are increasingly
exploring its use in their creations.
There are more than 1,600 varieties of this little plant, whose relatives include the
tomato, the potato and deadly nightshade. Two hundred of these are grown in Mexico
alone.
The heat of the chilli can be affected by the climate and soil where it is grown and by
its ripeness and a test exists, to determine the level of heat in a chilli, called the
Scoville Scale (founded by German chemist Wilbur Scoville prior to the 1920's). As a
guide, the hottest on the scale was the habanero (up to 500,000 units) until the naga
jolokia or Tezpur was found recently in Assam (850,000 units) followed by even
hotter versions such as the Dorset Naga (900,000 units) and the latest over 1 million
units. The mildest is the large, sweet bell pepper (0 units). The popular jalapeno is
about 5,000 units.
The heat is caused by a chemical, the alkaloid capsaicin, found in its largest
concentrations in the white placental central core which holds the seeds and in the
seeds themselves.Capsaicin is its magic ingredient, both for the ‘bite’ and
medicinally. It encourages the flow of gastric juices, which is why some people find
their mouths water at the mere mention of chilli, and promotes regular peristalsis
movement, further aiding digestion and preventing flatulence. Scientists have
managed to find five capsaicinoid components, three of which give a ‘rapid bite’ and
two a long, low intensity on tongue and mid-palate, the ratios of which vary from type
to type and account for the differences in pungency and ‘burn’ sensation.
One of the components of chilli, capsidicin, is a natural antibiotic, and it has been
found to posses antibacterial and antifungal properties and has been used since ancient
times as a powerful pain killer: Capsaicin ointment is available to help relieve arthritis
and inflamed joints.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School discovered that the active ingredient in hot
peppers, capsaicin, carries out its action by binding to a receptor - a protein that sits
on the surface of a neuron or nerve cell. Drugs that bind to the protein may be capable
of blocking the activation of pain sensing nerve cells or neurons.
Ironically, it seems to be the very pain produced by the alkaloid which helps to
produce the pain killing effect: Capsaicin stimulates certain nerve endings to
manufacture the chemical which transmits the sensation of pain through the nervous
system, Substance P, until the cells are depleted, temporarily blocking the pain signals
to the brain. It is also this process that produces the morphine-like effect of chilli,
stimulating the release of endorphins in the brain and, perhaps, reinforcing the
addictive effect, leading to chilli-based foods such as curry being referred to as 'sex on
a plate' by some. It is not soluble in water and its stinging pungency can only be
countered by casein, a protein found in milk and its by-products such as cheese, which
is why lassi is such a good foil to an Indian meal.
Capsaicin also has an affinity for fat, explaining why drinking more water after a
spicy mouthful simply spreads the burning whereas absorbing the spice with another
food is more effective.
However, chilli is not just a pretty sting.
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Nutritionally, it is high in vitamin A and a source of vitamins B1, B2, niacin, sodium,
phosphorous, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc and, by weight, capsicum
peppers contain between 6 to 9 times the amount of vitamin C than a tomato.
Medicinal :This is good news indeed in these carcinogenophobic times, as both
vitamins A and C are powerful antioxidants, believed to protect against various forms
of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Other research has found that the chilli can also
help combat heart attacks and strokes, as it appears to extend blood coagulation time,
preventing harmful blood clots, and that it may also help to cut triglycerides and
decrease bad cholesterol levels, when used in conjunction with a diet low in saturated
fats.
Cinnamon(Cinnamomum zeylanicum, cinnamomum aromaticum,
cinnamomum cassia - Ceylon cinnamon, Dalchini, Chinese cinnamon, cassia,
Dalchini cassia)
Archaeologists have found evidence that cinnamon was used in Egypt as long ago as
3,000BC; employed in culinary, ritual and preservative roles, being one of the
constituents in their embalming mixtures.
Cinnamomum zeyanicum, Ceylon cinnamon or dalchini, is, as its Latin specific name
suggests, a native of Sri Lanka, and is the inner bark of the tree's branches, sun-dried
after stripping, into tight, tan-coloured fragrant quills.
It made quite an early appearance in Europe, brought by the spice caravans of Arab
traders, and gained such popularity that, as a commodity, it was second in importance
only to pepper during the Middle Ages.
The Portuguese seized and occupied Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon, in the mid16th century in order to control the supply of the spice, and were succeeded by the
Dutch, who, in 1770, began large scale cultivation on the island.
Its close relative, Cinnamomum cassia, cassia or dalchini cassia, is Chinese in origin
and is darker and rougher in appearance, with a less subtle flavour. Galen, the 2nd
century Greek physician, advised that double the weight should be used if substituting
cassia for 'true' cinnamon.
In ancient China, cassia, or Kwei, was thought to be the Tree of Life, 10,000ft high,
flourishing since the beginning of time in Paradise, the beautiful garden situated at the
source of the Yellow River. The legend said that whoever managed to enter the
garden and eat the fruit of the tree would live in eternal bliss.
Medicinal : The leaves, (tej pattar) are also used for cooking and medicinal purposes,
being good for the relief of colic and diarrhoea, and they are used in the manufacture
of perfumery. Ayurveda and Unani Tibb both recommend cinnamon to aid digestion
and to combat diarrhoea and nausea.
Culpeper, the 17th century astrologer and herbalist gives the Sun as its ruling astral
body, thus associating cinnamon with warmth, power and strength. In European folk
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medicine, it was said to be sect and stimulating, was thought to raise spirituality and
awareness and was used in ‘magic’ incenses to attract money, healing, protection,
love and lust.
More recently, clinical studies at the United States' Drug Administration's Human
Nutrition Centre have shown that cinnamon greatly enhances the ability of insulin to
metabolise glucose and that it helps to control blood sugar levels. Some diabetics have
reported that eating about 1/4tsp of ground cinnamon daily to have had a beneficial
effect on their blood sugar levels. This, happily, has a knock-on effect which also
benefits non-diabetics, in that this same action helps the prevention of coronary artery
disease and high blood pressure.
Nutritionally, both types have basically the same structure, although cassia contains
more of the essential oil, cinnamic aldehyde, containing between 1-4%, as against the
1/2-11/2% content in Ceylon cinnamon. 1 teaspoon of the ground spice weighs 2.3g,
packs 6kcals of energy, and contains vitamins A, Bl, B2, niacin, vitamin C, sodium,
phosphorous, potassium, iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc and a high level of calcium.
Citrus Fruit
The citrus family are thought to date back around 20 million years and are natives of
East Asia and Australasia. The name citrus is derived from the Greek word for the
lemon, kitron.
Nutritionally, all the family are valuable and have been used medicinally since the
earliest time. Modern research backs this up; they contain limonene, a citrus oil which
has been shown to reduce the growth of mammary tumours in laboratory animals.
Citrus fruits also contain flavonoids, antioxidants which may prevent the spread of
cancer tissue and phenolics which help the body to produce natural agents which help
to detoxify carcinogens.
The whole family are also rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, which may help
prevent heart disease and stroke by preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol
which leads to plaque deposits forming on artery walls. Vitamin C also helps in the
absorption of iron and is essential for the formation of collagen, necessary for cell and
body tissue growth and virus resistance, helping to boost the immune system.
Bergamot - Citrus bergamia. Originally made an appearance in Italy from around
1600 as an ornamental tree and is now cultivated for its essence which is used in
cosmetic and perfume manufacture and, notably for scenting Earl Grey tea. Its
common name is a derivation of the name of a city in Asia Minor, Pergamum. Its
main area of cultivation is the coastal region of Calabria in Italy, where 90% of the
world’s crop is produced.
Citron - Citrus medica. As its specific name suggests, the citron has been grown
since the earliest times for its medicinal qualities, and is mentioned in a religious
work, the Vajasaneyi Samhita, which dates back to before 800BC. It was known to
the Babylonians, where the exiled Jewish community came into contact with the fruit.
They took it back to Palestine where, known as the Ertog, it became important in the
Feast of the Tabernacles. The religious connection is strong in China too. A variety of
citron which grows there has very defined ridges which looks like clasped hands,
earning it the name fo shu kan, Buddha’s hand. It is associated with happiness and
sometimes used in temple offerings.
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In India, the citron came to be associated with wealth and Kuvera, the god of
affluence, is always depicted with a fruit in his hand. Brought to Europe by Alexander
the Great in the 3rd century BC, it was seen in early medicine as a cure-all and was
even credited with being able to counter the effects of poisoning. In folk medicine it
has been traditionally used for insect bites, skin trouble and to ease muscular aches
and spasms. The fruit has a thick rind which is used for making candied fruit and the
essential oil is used, in conjunction with the oils obtained from the bergamot and the
lemon, in perfumery, especially in the production of Eau de Cologne. It can also be
used in a culinary role: in soft drinks, pickles and sauces, but is usually only used in
candied form nowadays..
Grapefruit - Citrus paradisi. A variety of the citrus family which is a hybrid, formed
from a cross between the pomelo (citrus decumana) and the sweet orange and gained
its name because it grows in grape-like clusters on the tree. It was recognised as a
separate species by around 1830 but did not enjoy a great deal of popularity in this
country until the 1920’s when it became the fashion to start a meal with it, a trend
introduced by the Americans.
Medicinal : Chinese medicine recommends grapefruit to ease indigestion and
heartburn during pregnancy and to counter the effects of over-indulgence in alcohol.
A rich source of vitamin C, just half a grapefruit provides half the daily requirement
for an adult non-smoker and the pectin in the white membrane is a useful source of
soluble fibre which may help to lower blood cholesterol levels. Pink or ruby
grapefruit are slightly higher in vitamin C levels and, like the tomato, contain
lycopenes which, it is thought, may offer protection against cervical, pancreatic,
bladder and prostate cancer.
Lemon - Citrus medica v. limon. Thought to have originated from northeast India, the
lemon was taken both to the West and the East by Arab traders and with it the Persian
name for the fruit, Limun, itself from a similar word in Hindustani, which has only
been slightly altered by others, with even the Chinese using Li mung. Cultivation
spread throughout the Mediterranean region by the time of the crusades, eventually
reaching Genoa by the mid-15th century and the Azores, an early source of lemons for
the English, by the end of that century.
The Elizabethan horticulturist, John Gerard, made it clear that he regarded the lemon
as non-edible, being prized more for its fragrance to freshen clothes. One reason,
perhaps, could have been the expense. When it reached the kitchen, it was used quite
sparingly; the rind in one recipe, the juice in another as a luxury replacement for
vinegar.
In the 17th century, Pepys mentions lemonade, which also enjoyed some success as a
street drink, acquacedrata, in Italy at the same time. But in England, although some
of the grander estates and houses produced hothouse lemons, it and the fruit remained
a luxury until the shipping boom in the second half of the 19th century.
Medicinal :Medicinally, like its precursor, the citron, the lemon has always been seen
as invaluable. The Chinese use it as a cough reliever and as a useful dietary
supplement during pregnancy.
Ayurveda recommends the juice, mixed with a pinch of salt to fight nausea, vomiting
and digestive disorders; or mixed with honey and black pepper to cure hiccups and
heartburn. Unani Tibb prescribes it internally for soothing inflammations, dental
caries, vomiting, rheumatism, headache, colds, coughs, sore throat and externally as a
hair rinse, facial astringent and for sunburn, warts and corns.
In Europe too the lemon has been a traditional cure, taken with honey, for colds and
sore throats and is used as a base in many proprietary brands of cold cures and cough
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syrups. Herbalists also use lemon juice to balance the system, to expel threadworms
and to remedy sluggishness in the liver a bowel. Externally, the juice is used to ease
chapped skin, broken capilleries, to cure warts and ringworm and as an anti-fungal.
One lemon contains half the recommended daily intake of vitamin C for a non-smoker
and is a good source of limonene, shown to combat tumour growth in laboratory
animals, and terpenes, which control the production of cholesterol.
Lime - Citrus aurantifolia. The smallest of the citrus family, the lime gained fame
after the Naval Surgeon, James Lind, produced his Treatise on Scurvy in 1754,
advocating the use of the fruit, together with its cousins, in naval rations to prevent the
disease, which is caused by a vitamin C deficiency. However, it was not until 1795, a
year after his death, that Lord Hood added it to sea rations, earning the sailors and,
eventually all Britons, the ‘Limey’ tag in America. However, the Dutch had already
discovered the same benefits some 200 years earlier, when they introduced a mixture
of lime and lemon juice for use on their longer sea voyages, the lemon being richer in
vitamin C than the lime.
Ayurveda recommends lime as a gastric stimulant; to relieve flatulence, nausea and
cramps; to cool for fever and sunstroke; in bringing chronic diarrhoea under control.
Orange - Citrus aurantium, citrus, sinensis, citrus amara. A native of China, where
the sweeter, mandarin varieties (citrus sinensis) have been enjoyed for millennia,
being mentioned in texts as far back as 2,400BC. Its common name comes to us from
the ancient Sanskrit, naranga, via the Arabic, naranj. It had reached India by AD 100,
when it appeared in a medical text there, the Charaka Samhita and the sour (citrus
aurantium), or Seville orange reached southern Italy by the 11th century but,
ironically, didn’t arrive at Seville until around a century after that! By the 15th
century it had reached Western Europe, but mainly as an ornamental and spice tree. A
spate of Orangerys appeared, the fruit being used for its perfume and as a base for the
pomander, a spice-studded citrus fruit carried to guard against infection, first carried
in the country by Cardinal Wolsey at the court of Henry VIII.
The sweet orange, citrus sinensis, was brought to Europe from Ceylon by the
Portuguese and, in around the mid-16th century, even sweeter varieties were
introduced direct from China which gained favour in the orangerys of England. By the
late 19th century, the Christmas stocking filler citrus recticulata, mandarin orange
first arrived from China.
Folklore magic associates the orange with Leo and Sagittarius and it is ruled by the
Sun. The orange was seen as a power source; used for lending energy and optimism in
decision making and used in magic to heighten psychic awareness and to boost love,
luck and for guidance in divination.
Herbal medicine uses the orange to combat digestive upsets, poor appetite and
constipation and externally as a tonic for tired and dry skin. In aromatherapy the
essential oil is used to counter depression and anxiety.
One medium-sized orange provides one whole day’s requirement of vitamin C for a
healthy non-smoking adult and is a useful source of thaimin (vitamin B1), folic acid
and pectin, a type of soluble dietary fibre which may reduce blood cholesterol levels.
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Cloves(Eugenia carophyllata, Eugenia aromatica)
History leaves enigmatic messages for future generations to puzzle over. Nursery
rhymes, for example, the satirical popular songs of their day, still hold clues to past
events and personalities: “Ring-a-ring-a-roses” is actually a description of the onset
of The Black Death; “Georgy Porgey”, with his womanising tendencies, was a
characature of the Prince Regent, destined to become George IV; and "Peter Piper",
who picked a peck of pickled peppers was a real person, one very aptly named Pierre
Poivre, a French Diplomat and Governor of Mauritius, and his famous peppers were
actually cloves and nutmegs.
Cloves are the dried, unopened flowers of a tropical evergreen tree which was once
grown only in the Moluccas. Arab spice merchants guarded the secret of their origin
for centuries, as they took them, Eastwards first to China, where, during the Han
Dynasty (approx. 300BC) it was mandatory to chew a clove before entering the
presence of a royal personage, and then West to ancient Rome, where they acquired
their common name, clavus - 'nail', due to their stud-like shape.
Cloves only travelled more widely after the Venetians entered the spice trade from
around 1500. Then the Moluccas were discovered by the Dutch, who, in order to keep
prices high, decreed that cloves could only be cultivated on the island of Amboina and
ordered all the trees on the other islands destroyed. This distressed the Moluccans
because it was their custom to plant a clove tree to celebrate the birth of a child and
believed that the fates of tree and child were intertwined. This monopoly also
incensed the other European powers with interests in the area - notably the French and
Portuguese - and the whole issue became a source of open hostility.
Then along came good old Pierre Poivre, the Peter Piper of the rhyme, who smuggled
clove and nutmeg seedlings back to Mauritius, thus breaking the hold of the Dutch on
those spices. After that, a succession of smugglers, including the Sultan of Zanzibar in
1800 and the British in the mid-19th century, managed to break the Dutch monopoly.
The anthropologist, George Frazer noted in his work, The Golden Bough, that the
trees on the Moluccan Islands were treated very much like pregnant women: no-one
was allowed to make a violent or sudden noise near them or to carry light or fire past
them at night. It was even forbidden for a man to approach a tree wearing a hat! The
theory was that the tree should be kept from any source of distress which may scare it
into dropping the fruit early. Another tradition, apparently was that clove trees were
only planted in the dark of the moon.
Trees are first harvested after five years, each plant producing, on average, 3kg (71b)
of flower buds annually. The flower buds, initially pale green, turn dark green. They
are not allowed to open as they would lose their pungency and fragrance. The buds
are then immersed for a few seconds in boiling water and then, stalk removed, left to
dry, usually in the sun. It is possible to get two crops a year from each tree, although
only one is taken to prevent damage to the trees.
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More than just a nice taste to add to apple pie, the pungent main constituent of cloves
is eugenol, which takes its name from the generic name, Eugenia, commemorating
Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663-1736), Austrian statesman, field-marshal and patron of
the sciences.
Although the bud contains the highest percentage of this volatile oil, other parts of the
plant, such as discarded young shoots and leaves, are distilled to produce the essential
oil. More than 10kg (221b) of essence comes from a single plant and is used as the
base for synthetic vanilla, soaps, perfumes, toothpastes, mouthwash and medicines.
European witches have used the spice in spells invoking protection, money and love
since the Middle Ages, and by European tradition, taken with colonists to North
America, cloves were carried in a small pouch by the bereaved as a source of comfort.
Culpeper assigned it the ruling house of Jupiter, associated with Sagittarius. Herbal
practitioners still recommend cloves for their antiseptic properties, as an anaesthetic,
to ease toothache, indigestion, nausea and bad breath.
Cloves have excellent preservative powers and are widely used in pickles and
chutneys, and the traditional clove and orange pomanders, first carried in this country
by Cardinal Wolsey in the 16th century, not only sweeten the air, but also repel
moths.
Medicinal : Antiseptic, stimulant, stomachic and digestive, anti-infectant cloves are
effective against coli bacilli, streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci and as an
antimycolic, and are used in dentistry for their antiseptic and analgesic properties.
Oh, yes, and they're very good in apple pies, too!
1 teaspoonful of ground cloves is equal, on average, to 2.1g, 7kcals and contains
vitamins A, Bl, B2, niacin, vitamin C, sodium, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, iron,
magnesium and zinc.
Chocolate(Cocoa)(Theobroma cacao).
Cacoa is a small, broadleaf evergreen, native to the rainforests of southern America,
originating in the Amazon and Orinoco basins of Ecuador and Brazil, which has been
cultivated since prehistory. It is thought that the first people to realise the potential of
chocolate were the Olmecs, the first highly developed civilisation in Mesoamerica,
and the builders of colossal stone heads in southern Veracruz and Tabasco at the
beginning of the 1st millennium BC.
Cocoa beans were very important in the successive societies that inhabited Central
and South America, being regarded by the Maya as ‘the food of the gods’, hence the
botanical name, theobroma. The importance of cocoa and its role in the ritual-driven
Maya society can be seen in the very detailed depictions left in the tombs of their
nobility, excavated at Copán in the Honduran uplands. Archaeologists have found
vessels containing carbonised cocoa remains in vessels which bear the glyph ka-ka-wa
(cocoa), with directions on how to mix the foaming brew, spiced and tinted with red
achiote, perhaps so it resembled more closely the blood which was central to their
religious rites.
Chocolate was also used in burial rites and in the chac ritual which they performed in
the hope of appeasing their gods and be granted rainfall. Teams from Cornell
University and the University of California at Berkeley have found evidence of a
village which was continuously inhabited over a 3,000 year span, from 2,000BC -
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AD1,000, attributing chocolate as the key to the success and longevity of the
community.
Ironically, another researcher, Dr David Lentz of the New York Botanical Garden,
may have found evidence that it was the over-cultivation of the crop, leading to a
decline in rainfall and deforestation, which may have caused the sudden collapse of
the Maya society at the turn of the 9th century.
Much of the early history of cocoa, and of the everyday lives of the Maya, has been
uncovered over the last twenty years at a site dubbed ‘the Pompeii of the Americas’,
Cerén, a Maya village which was buried in ash and lava after a volcanic eruption in
AD 590.
Cocoa beans were also used as a form of currency, a fact which was revealed to
Columbus and his crew in 1502, when they witnessed the panic-stricken efforts of
Maya to recover spilt beans. Seventeen years later Cortes described a banquet held by
the Aztec ruler, Montezuma II, at which he counted 50 great dishes made of cocoa.
Montezuma was reputed to have loved chocolate and one story says that he would
drink from a golden goblet of frothy and ‘invigorating’ chocolate before visiting one
of his wives. Another story reports that he would drink up to 50 goblets in one day.
This would lead one to assume that perhaps he had a lot of wives and hence needed a
lot of invigoration!
The Spanish mixed the ground, roasted beans and moulded them into cakes, much as
the natives had shown them, opting for a sweeter combination of sugar and cinnamon,
preferring it to the original spicy and savoury concoction. The cakes would then be
exported and reconstituted with water to make a cold drink. They and the Portuguese
managed to guard the secret of the chocolate for about a hundred years, so well in
fact, that Dutch pirates, having captured a chocolate boat, were so disgusted by what
they regarded as a spoiled cargo that they threw the whole shipment overboard.
The rest of Europe finally got in on the act in the 17th century and in 1657 the first
advertisements appeared for the sale of chocolate at London chocolate houses. It
remained a very expensive luxury until the Industrial Revolution introduced the first
machines and chocolate factories.
A Dutch company, Van Houten revolutionised the chocolate industry, taking out a
patent in 1828 for the method of extracting a large proportion of the fat - cocoa butter
- from the ground beans, leaving a water soluble powder behind. This led to the
production of cocoa powder, drinking chocolate and eating chocolate, which contains
a large amount of cocoa butter. In 1876 a Swiss company produced the first milk
chocolate, introducing the world to a new addictive substance.
During the 19th century the Quakers exploited this, seeing chocolate as a better
alternative to the evils of alcohol, setting up companies like Cadburys, founded in
1828, in order to process cocoa products and wean the masses away from the demon
drink.
Medicinal : Nutritionally, cocoa is rich in carbohydrates, vegetable oil, protein,
vitamin E, magnesium, calcium, iron and phosphorous and has formed an essential
part of survival kits for adventurers, ranging from boy scouts to astronauts. It also
contains phenolic compounds which act as antioxidants which may help reduce the
risk of heart disease and stroke.
Chocolate also contains the stimulants theobromine and caffeine which help to
sharpen the brain and body performance, as well as a natural antidepressant. The
addiction to dessert chocolate is probably more to the sugar content than any naturally
occurring component, mass produced confectionery chocolate bars being very high in
saturated fats and sugars However, we may be preaching to the converted here, as
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recent figures show that we now spend £3 billion per year on chocolate.
The most nutritious chocolate is the fine dark types which contain at least 50% cocoa
solids. It is also lower in sugar and, unfortunately, more likely to trigger migraines in
those prone to attacks.
100g of an average milk chocolate gives 529 kcalories energy, 8.4g protein, 59.4g
carbohydrate, 30g fat and minimal amount of fibre. 100g unsweetened cocoa powder
gives 391 kcalories energy, fats 12.7g, (of which 7.11g saturated) 50.20g
carbohydrate, 5.20g fibre, 717mg sodium, 19.20g protein 20 IU vitamin A and
10.7mg iron.
Coconut(cocos nucifera - Coconut palm)
The coconut is a tropical palm which grows to heights of up to 25 metres. Written
about and depicted since earliest times, it is probably the most important of the
cultivated palms, with every part of the plant being used in some form or another.
In Sri Lanka, a major exporter of coconuts, it is said that the coconut has 99 uses; in
Kerala, in southern India, it is known as ‘God's gift to God's own Country’; in some
other parts of India, it is known as ‘the tree of heaven’; and the Sanskrit name for the
coconut palm translates as ‘a tree which furnishes all the necessities of life’.
A palm starts to yield nuts from between 6-10 years from planting and can continue to
be fruitful for up to one hundred years. Each tree has around 30 leaves and produces
12 new leaves each year to replace a similar number that die off. Conveniently, a new
leaf is born each month and with each leaf, a flower which, after 12 months produces
between 5-10 mature oval nuts, about 30cm long.
The flowers also yield a sweet juice which, when boiled down, produces a darkbrown, caramel-flavoured sugar called jaggery. If left to ferment, which takes only a
matter of hours, this becomes an alcoholic drink known as toddy which, in turn, can
then be distilled further to make a very potent and, in some places, quite popular spirit
called arrak. The leaves themselves are used to make thatching, mats, fans, screens
and baskets, and the top bud, or 'palm cabbage' is considered a culinary delicacy, as is
the central part of a young palm's stem.
The husks are used as organic fertiliser, can be turned into a fuel for the manufacture
of bricks and are a traditional source of domestic fuel in the regions where the palms
are grown. The husk fibre, coir, is used to make rope, cord and matting. The hard
brown shells are turned into charcoal, then into activated carbon for use in water and
gas purification filters and in battery manufacture. The inner brown skin and
imperfect coconuts are smoked and dried to make copra, which is used to produce
coconut oil, is used in cooking and in the production of soaps, candles, cosmetics and
hair preparations. Even the root, which possesses mildly narcotic properties, is
sometimes chewed.
Inside each coconut is the natural ‘milk’, a sweet-tasting opaque liquid which can be
used as a drink or marinade. 200ml of this natural coconut milk contains about 57
kcalories, around 12g carbohydrate, 0.7g protein and less than 0.55g fat. Coconut
flesh, however, contains 351 kcalories per 100g and is cholesterol-free.
Medicinal : The total fat content of the same amount of coconut is 36g, 86% of which
are saturated fats, making it one of only two vegetable oils high in saturated fats, (the
other being palm oil), although recent research indicates that it may not be the
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‘harmful’ type found in animal and dairy produce and may even help to reduce ‘bad’
cholesterol levels. It is a good source of fibre, containing just over 7% and potassium,
which works with sodium to regulate the body's water balance and ensure normal
heart rhythm and is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles. Low
potassium intake has been associated with palpitations and high blood pressure.
Ayurveda, the ancient study of life and maintenance of its natural harmony, regards
coconut milk as cooling, a mild laxative diuretic, and good for heartburn, kidney
diseases, an recommends it as an ideal remedy for fever, nausea and cardiac
weaknesses.
The flesh itself is one of the major ingredients in south Indian cookery and is used
fresh; in shredded and dried (desiccated) form; liquidised and set in to solid blocks,
which is marketed as creamed coconut; liquidised and mixed with water and used as
coconut milk or cream to thicken and add a nutty sweetness to a dish. Southern
Indians use coconut not only as an ingredient in its own right, but also as a spice,
either ground with other spices and flavourings to form a base masala ,often for nonvegetarian dishes, or fried lightly as a tempering and added as a final ‘blessing’ to a
finished dish. To ring the changes even further, sometimes the coconut is lightly
roasted first to add a deeper, nuttier taste. Even plain, steamed rice can benefit from
the addition of a little coconut in any one of its various forms.
However, it's not just Asian cooking that can profit from the addition of a little
coconut cream. Used instead of cream in a sauce for chicken, fish or light meats, or
added as a swirl in a soup, it can add a certain extra dimension to traditional European
dishes. It is even good in bread making, adding a sweet, creamy flavour.
Added just before the end of cooking, it is also a good, natural thickener for stews and
casseroles, and when added to a stir-fry, it can provide an instant, rich-tasting sauce which can even be given a further zing with a squeeze of lime juice. Coconut cream
can even be used as an instant dip by just adding a little flavouring, such as a little
chilli with a few popped black mustard seeds. Then, of course, there are the obvious
dessert uses: coconut crême caramel; coconut brulée; syllabub; mousse; soufflé; trifle;
rice pudding; swirled into a pouring custard or sauce; made into an ice cream, parfait
or kulfi; pancake batters; added to marscapone cheese for an interesting alternative to
custard.
Naturally, such an important food attracts superstition, one of these being in southern
India that coconuts should not be cracked after sundown, but that breaking one open
at a special occasion will bring luck, being used rather like the ceremonial cutting of a
ribbon at some events.
Coffee(Coffea arabica, coffea canephora (robusta), coffea stenophylla)
Coffee belongs to the family of ‘Whoeverthoughtofthatfirst?’ After all, it does take a
leap or two to take the bitter berries of a small evergreen tree and turn it into a
beverage, the demand for which has ensured a position in the World commodities
market which is second only to oil.
Legend attributes the first step to an Ethiopian goatherd named Kaldi in around the
year AD 850: noticing that his goats started to act a little strangely, frolicking and
dancing around, after eating the berries of a certain tree, he tried them himself and
was thrilled to find that they evoked a feeling of exhilaration and well-being. Monks
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from a nearby monastery, noticing Kaldi’s antics, came and tried the berries too, and,
finding that they were able to stay alert throughout their night-time prayers, spread the
use of the berries throughout religious communities as a non-alcoholic stimulant.
Its name is derived from the Arabic qahwah, originally a poetic word for wine, and its
Turkish form, kahveh was gradually turned into the various European forms: café;
caffé; kaffee; coffee.
Cultivated from around the middle of the 6th century, it was treated as a medicine
initially, and the earliest written record of it was in a work by the Arabian physician,
Rhazes in the 10th century. The beans were eaten whole at first, then a fermented
‘wine’ made from the pulp appeared, followed by the precursor of our present day
decoction in around 10th century. Roasting the beans before use was introduced in
13th century, and by the end of the 15th century, coffee had reached the whole of
Islam, taken to the outer reaches of the empire by traders and pilgrims returning from
Mecca.
Coffee houses were opened where men could gather, talk, socialise and discuss
business and politics. The first is thought to have appeared in Constaninople in the
mid-16th century and reports started filtering through to Europe of, “a drink enjoyed
in that city called coffa, made of the seed of the coava”. Unfortunately, other
entertainments began to be offered too: dancing, music, singing and gambling. All
frowned upon by Islam, also, the Imams realised that, despite not being an alcoholic
beverage, coffee certainly was a stimulant and began to regard it with a good deal of
suspicion. It didn’t help, either, that their mosque attendances seemed to be falling off
whilst the coffee houses were filling up. Coffee, and the places where people gathered
to enjoy it, started to be seen by the ‘Establishment’ as being subversive.
In 1656 the Ottoman Grand Vizir Koprili prohibited coffee, decreeing that the
punishment for a first violation should be a cudgelling and for the second that the
perpertrator should be sewn into a leather bag and thrown into the Bosphorous. Dutch
traders were the first to bring coffee to Europe. In 1616 the first stolen plant arrived in
Holland and by the end of that century, the Netherlands East India Company had
established plantations in their colonies in Indonesia and Ceylon.
Strangely, Oxford claims the first coffee house to be opened in England, by Jacob, a
Turkish Jew. In 1652, Pasqua Rosée opened the first public coffee house in St
Michael’s Alley, in the City of London. Rosée invited potential clients to come and
meet each other and enjoy the new beverage which, “quickens the spirits, and makes
the heart lightsome”. London took to the coffee houses, and such establishments as
Jonathon’s, Button’s, Lloyds and Will’s became the meeting place for all professions
within the City. Lloyd’s Coffee House, in Tower Street, became the place where the
owners and insurers of commercial ships and their cargoes would meet in order to
conduct business. Eventually, Lloyds Coffee House became the now famous
insurance exchange, Lloyd’s of London.
Throughout Europe the great coffee house phenomenon spread like wildfire - much to
the chagrin of the more genteel female populace. In 1674 The Women’s Petition
against Coffee was published. An anonymous pamphlet, it claimed that coffee made
men, “Trifle away their time, scald their chops, and spend all their money, all for a
little base, black, thick, nasty, bitter, stinking, nauseaous puddle of water.”
Across the Channel, too ladies were finding their gentlemen-folk’s preoccupation with
this tarry drink more than a little mystifying, even to the extent of accusing coffee of
reducing their menfolk’s libido.Their cause was more than happily backed by the
wine merchants, seeing the growth in demand for this new drink as a serious
competitor, and in 1695, a medical report was published by the École de Médecine in
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Paris, which warned that a regular intake of coffee would deprive men of their
generative powers. However, despite such heavyweight opposition, the French
persevered, their coffee houses evolving into the fashionable cafés which were to
attract the patronage of some of the greatest names in Art in years to come. The fate
of the English coffee houses was to be much more respectable for, as with Lloyds,
most of the establishments which had caused so much early concern, developed into
gentlemen’s clubs, exchanges and banks.
The ladies of Germany. didn’t appear to agree with their European sisters and the
drink was so popular that Johann Sebastian Bach composed his Kaffee-Kantate,
gently mocking the drinking habits of the coffee-mad ladies of Leipzig.
In Italy, the clergy joined forces against what they described as, “a drink from Satan’s
followers”. They petitioned Pope Clement VIII, arguing that, as Islam had forbidden
wine, the drink used in Holy Communion, Satan had to be behind this new evil from
the East. Pope Clement, having demanded a taste first, replied that it was a shame to
let the infidels have exclusive use of such a delicious drink and compromised by
baptising it, explaining to the irate priests that he had thus cheated the Devil. In
Venice, the Council of Ten tried to close down their city’s caffés, reasoning that they
were dens of iniquity, although they can’t have been very successful as one of the
most famous, Florian’s, is still going strong today.
Frederick the Great of Prussia was so enraged at the amount of money being spent on
‘foreign’ coffee, and so leaving the state, that he issued a declaration that his people
must drink beer instead. In 1781 he was to go even further, banning the roasting of
coffee by any but the nobility, and then only that supplied by the State monopoly,
hiring professional ‘sniffers’ to track down any illegal stashes.
Coffee was taken to South America by a young French naval officer, Gabriel Mathieu
de Clieu, who, having enjoyed the Paris coffee houses, obtained a seedling and,
against all the odds, including a bad sea-trip and an irate fellow passenger, managed
to plant it in his gardens in the French colony of Martinique. This one plant was
destined to be the rootstock for all the estates in the West Indies and South America.
Britain finally started cultivation in 1730, in Jamaica, and only introduced it into India
in 1840, where their main focus had been the cultivation of tea.
Brazil, too, whose name was eventually to become synonymous with coffee, came
late into the picture. The story goes that a young Brazilian officer caught the eye of
the Wife of the Governor of French Guiana on a visit in 1727. To show her admiration
she presented the young man with a bouquet of flowers, within which was hidden a
coffee plant. The plant duly arrived in neighbouring Brazil and, with the help of
Roman Catholic missionaries, cultivation was spread throughout that country. In the
19th century a terrible leaf disease hit the plantations in Asia, giving Brazil the
impetus required to shoot to the top of the production table, a position which it still
holds today, supplying more than half the world’s coffee.
The area that consumes more coffee than anyone else in the world is, surprisingly, not
the United States, but Scandinavia, where they get through an amazing 612 cups per
person, per year - the average in Britain is a mere 34 cups per head.
Coffea arabica is the most widely grown variety, growing above a height of 3,000ft
(900m), between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Coffee plantations start
production after their third year, productivity increasing up to their fifteenth year then
falling off. The plant produces rip e fruits several time during the year, with both
blossoms and berries alongside each other,at varying stages of maturity, on the same
tree. This means that constant picking is required, each tree producing roughly 2lb of
green berries per year.
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The substance in coffee which Kaldi and his dancing goats found so invigorating was,
of course, caffeine, the alkaloid which gives coffee its kick and aroma, and which is
also found, in smaller quantities, in tea and chocolate. Researchers at Oxford
University have also found that it may play a part in speeding up the pain-killing
effect of the drug, ibuprofen. Patients who had surgery for impacted molars were
given 100mg or 200mg of caffeine with their ibuprofen and it was found that they had
significantly more relief an hour or so later than those who had received ibuprofen
alone.
Medicinal : Caffeine also stimulates the heart and central nervous system, enhances
mental performance, stimulates the production of digestive juices in the stomach,
aiding digestion and also dilates the air passages in the lungs. Both ordinary and
decaffeinated coffee contain antioxidants which can protect against ageing, cancer and
heart disease, but strong coffee which has been made by methods such as cafetière has
been shown to raise blood cholesterol levels.
Unfortunately, the caffeine in coffee, (and tea), also acts as a diuretic, causing the
body to lose water and flushing away valuable minerals such as calcium and high
caffeine intakes have been associated with osteoporosis, which is a major cause of the
weakening of bones in post-menopausal women.. It is also addictive, and in high
amounts can cause tremors, sweating and palpitations. Sudden withdrawal, however,
can cause severe headaches, lethargy and irritability.
1teaspoon of instant coffee has an energy value of 2 kcalories, 190ml (average cup) of
freshly ground coffee provides 4 kcalories.
Coriander(Coriandrum sativum, - Dhania, Chinese parsley, Cilantro)
Coriander is one of the oldest known herbs used by Man. A flavouring and medicine
for over 3,000 years, it has been well documented through the ages, from ancient
Sanskrit text, to the Ebers Papyrus and even the Book of Exodus in the Old
Testament, where its seed was likened to the manna provided by God. Manna is
probably the secretion left by a certain type of insect on twigs of tamarisk which is
still gathered today by the Bedouin. It is gathered early, before ants can get to it and it
is said that one man can collect at least 4lb each morning. The same substance is also
found in Persia where it is mixed with honey and flour and made into cakes.
Coriander’s Latin, and hence European, name is derived from the Greek word, koris,
meaning bug, as the plant was perceived to posses an insect-like smell, reminiscent of
that given off by bed bugs. The plant is a member of the Umbelliferae family, hailing
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originally from North Africa, and was brought into Western Europe by the tasteloving Ancient Romans.
Despite its supposed ‘nasty’ smell, the herb’s leaf has been used extensively in
Mediterranean, Chinese and Southeast Asian cooking since the earliest times.
It was extremely popular during Elizabethan times, especially in sallets, and is now
currently enjoying a revival, thinly disguised as ‘discovery’, primarily with the current
interest in the ‘Mediterranean Diet’, seen to be a powerful weapon in the modern
quest for the ‘perfect diet’.
The small round, light brown seeds, sweet and spicy, with a hint of citron, are a
feature of North African, Indian and Indonesian cooking. In Europe, they have
traditionally been used to flavour breads, cakes and liqueurs, and, of course, are an
indispensable pickling spice at harvest-time.
In large quantities, coriander leaf has a slightly narcotic effect and it was this that
earned it the early European tag of ‘dizzycorn’, after observing its effects on grazing
animals that had strayed into patches of the herb. Perhaps this same attribute went
some way in endowing the plant with aphrodisiac qualities. It was regularly used in
love potions in the Middle Ages and is mentioned in the 1001 Arabian Nights as a
‘love herb’.
In European love potions, it was mixed with dill and was said to fill whoever drank it
with desire, especially if the coriander had been picked in the last quarter of the moon.
The seeds were also burned in incense, put into sweet dishes and carried in ‘love
sachets’.
The Ancient Chinese believed that eating coriander brought immortality
In 17th century Paris an amazing ‘cure-all’ liqueur was produced using coriander Eau de canes, which was used both as a tonic and as a perfumed toilet water. In
folklore and country witchcraft, its astrological ruler is Mars, and it has been used in
‘magical’ rites for healing and love.
Medicinal : In herbal healing, its powers in aiding the digestion, when used
internally, have long been recognised, easing colic and flatulence and it was once used
in proprietary brands of infant colic water.
Its inner cleansing powers don’t stop there, though, as both seeds and leaves are used
both to strengthen the urinary tract and help in the treatment of urinary tract
infections.
Externally, the essential oil of the coriander seed is used in therapeutic massage to
ease rheumatism and swollen joints.
Nutritionally, 1 teaspoonful of coriander seed is equal to1.8g in weight, releases
5kcalories of energy and contains vitamins B1 and B2, niacin, sodium, phosphorous,
calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc.
As with most of the so-called ‘curry spices’, coriander is quite a good anti-oxidant, in
both seed and leaf form, able to help in countering high blood pressure, aiding in the
regulation of heart action and body fluid levels, as well as in combating the formation
of the free radicals which are believed to trigger cancers.
Cucumber(Cucumis sativus)
Cucumber is one of the oldest plants known to man and one with which he has
enjoyed an almost constant love-hate relationship. It is a native of southern India and
cultivated for the last 4,000 years or so.
The Children of Israel bemoaned their lot after leaving Mount Sinai, declaring that
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they missed the cucumber which they had eaten so freely in the land of Egypt
(Numbers, 11:5). Isaiah (1:8), on the other hand, seems to see it in a different light,
likening the daughter of Zion to ‘a lodge in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.’
The Greek and Roman cultures were apparently very fond of the cucumber,
Theophrastus mentioning three varieties which were grown in Greece during his time,
and Apicius uses them as a patina, or paste, in salads and as a vegetable. The Emperor
Tiberius was fond of them and insisted on having them, home grown, in moveable
frames.
They came to France in the 9th century, taking their time to get across the Channel,
reaching us in around the mid-14th century and where, for at least five centuries, they
were regarded with a great deal of suspicion. The Columbian Exchange, meanwhile,
saw the cucumber travelling the Atlantic, with Columbus taking the cucumber to Haiti
on his trip of 1494. The vegetable can hardly have been a surprise to the New World,
as several members of the same family, Curcubita; pumpkin, squash and pattypan
were already well established as food crops.
John Gerard, author of Herball, or General Historie of Plantes in 1597 saw the
healing potential in cucumber and recommended eating a pottage, or soup, made with
cucumber and oatmeal three times a day, to combat a fiery and pimply complexion, to
be accompanied by a treatment using a facewash, the principle constituent of which
was cucumber. Culpeper, who intertwined his herbalism with astrology, assigned the
cucumber to the moon - cooling and healing and herballists, even now recommend a
slice of cucumber to take away the initial sting, and bring down the skin temperature,
after a minor burn.
As an object of culinary desire, however, it was making less of an impact. A sixteenth
century axiom reflected the opinion of a great many that cucumber could be positively
fatal: “Raw cucumber makes the churchyards prosperous.” They didn’t receive any
better press by the time of Boswell. In his The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides, with
Samuel Johnson, LL.D., James Boswell reflects upon the cucumber: “it has been a
common saying of physicians in England, that a cucumber should be well sliced, and
dressed with pepper and vinegar, and then thrown out, as good for nothing.”
Ironically, the English, who maintained until quite recently that the cucumber was
tasteless and indigestible, placed the cucumber at the very core of that very English
institution, ‘High Tea’. Sliced ultra-thinly, settling like gauze between barely buttered
leaves of crustless bread they provide the centrepiece, even now, of such famous
gatherings as the Buckingham Palace garden parties.
Medicinal : Ayurveda sees cucumber, called soukas in Sanskrit, as cooling, and many
a spicy Indian meal has benefited from the foil of sliced cucumber, nestling in a
cooling yoghurt, as a natural foil to the more piquant spicing. The seeds are also used
in Ayurveda to expel tapeworm.
Unani Tibb recommends it for kidney and heart problems and credits it with being
able to dissolve the uric acid accumulations which lead to kidney and bladder stones.
Cucumber is, botanically: a berry; a simple fleshy fruit, enclosing a seed (or seeds),
not having a separate, peelable skin. It contains sterols, mainly in the skin, which have
been shown to lower bad cholesterol when tested on laboratory animals.
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Cumin(Cumninum cyminum, - Jeera)
This member of the umbelliferae family has been cultivated in the Mediterranean
region since prehistory, and the Greeks set up an early trade in the spice with Egypt,
where it probably originated. Well preserved seeds have been found in the tombs of
the Pharaohs and it is mentioned in the early texts of the region: The Ebers Papyrus;
The Old and New Testaments; and Historia Naturalis, part of the great encyclopaedia
compiled by Pliny the Elder in the 1st Century.
Probably the earliest evidence of the seed’s use in Western Europe has been on the
west coast of France where archaeologists have discovered that the native Celts there
were rather fond of fish baked in cumin.
In Eastern medicine, cumin was used by the ancient hakims in virtually all their
compound formulae, as it was believed that the spice was one of the few substances
which would pass through the digestive process virtually unscathed, to release its
properties directly at the site of the liver. In the Eastern holistic medical systems of
Ayurveda and Tibb, cumin is used as a digestive, to aid in easing stomach cramps and
colic and it was also used for this purpose in Norman monasteries in around the 8th
century AD.
Both the Ancient Greek and Roman cultures regarded cumin seeds as a symbol of
miserliness and greed, and the first century Roman Emperor, Antoninus Pius, was
nicknamed ‘The Cumin’ because of his parsimonious nature.
Nicholas Culpeper, the herbalist who combined botany and astrology in his 1652
work, The English Physitian, saw cumin as more positive and strengthening,
assigning the planet Mars as its ruler. All across Medieval Europe, cumin was
regarded in common lore as being able to safeguard against infidelity. It was used in
love potions to keep a lover faithful and, in Germany, a bride would carry cumin, dill
and salt in her pocket during her marriage ceremony to ensure a faithful and long
marriage. The Germans also associated cumin with security, believing that anything
containing it would be safe from theft, and baked it into loaves of bread to prevent it
being stolen by wood spirits.
Other, linked, traditions existed throughout northern Europe. In one such custom, a
young man, leaving his home to join the army, would share a glass of cuminflavoured wine with his sweetheart, then would take with him a cumin-flavoured loaf,
baked by the girl, to ensure his safe return.
Cumin, like all other herbs and spices, has been used throughout history in the
practice of folk magic, where it is used principally as an ingredient in incense when
preparing for protection, exorcism of evil, fidelity and to combat theft. Its culinary
uses are many, and cumin is a popular flavouring spice world-wide.
The seeds, roughly 5mm long, ridged like those of its cousin, caraway, have a warm,
strong aroma and a slightly bitter taste. Most of the recipes from the Indian
subcontinent relies on a mixture of cumin and coriander seeds as a basis for their
spicing, and the northern yoghurt drinks and preparations invariably have a sprinkling
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of cumin to add that little extra touch. It is used extensively in Middle Eastern food, in
dishes such as Kibbeh (fried meatballs); Northern European foods such as sauerkraut,
sausages, stews, breads, biscuits, cheese and alcoholic drinks; Mexican Chorizo (spicy
sausages), spiced sauces such as Mole and Chile are flavoured with it.
Nutritionally, 1tsp of ground seed weighs around 2.1g, giving an energy value of 8
kcalories and contains vitamins A, B1, B2, niacin, Vitamin C, sodium, phosphorous,
potassium, calcium, iron and zinc.
Medicinal : As with many of the other ‘curry’ spices, this combination of
antioxidants may be helpful in combating many of the ‘modern’ diseases such as
stroke, high blood pressure and cancers: Vitamin C and the carotenoid, vitamin A, are
powerful antioxidants, preventing the formation of the free radicals which cause cell
damage that can lead to ageing, cancer and a raised level of LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol
levels; vitamin B1 (Thiamin), which helps in the proper metabolism of foods;
minerals like potassium, which helps the body to regulate body fluids, heart rhythm,
and aid in the maintenance of normal blood pressure rates.
Curry Leaves(Murraya koenigii - kari patta)
Small, shiny, dark green leaves of a small tree which belongs to the citrus family. The
tree is found wild in much of South Asia and the leaves are used as a herb to flavour
food in the Southern and Western coastal regions of India in particular. Fragrant and
unique in flavour, they can be fried with the initial spicing preparation or added at the
very last stage for a fuller impact.
100g raw curry leaves contain 88 kcalories, 9.7g protein, 1.7g fat, 7.7g carbohydrate,
811mg calcium, 3.1mg iron, 6000µg carotene 0.08mg vitamin B1, 0.21mg vitamin B2,
2.3mg niacin, 12mg vitamin C
Dates(Phoenix dactylifera)
The date has grown abundantly in the ‘Fertile Crescent’ in North Africa and Middle
East since prehistoric times and was to become a staple for the peoples of the region.
Cultivation goes back to at least 3,000BC and, without the date palm, the Bedouin of
North Africa could not exist.
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The fruit, eaten with bread and camel milk forms the basis of their diet; the scooped
out trunks are used for irrigation; the palm fronds for building enclosures and fuel; the
leaflets for making mats and baskets; the fibre for wadding and mattress stuffing; the
sap for wine-making.
Use of the date palm was recorded on Assyrian and Babylonian monuments and in
their texts, and in the text of Shu-Sin, dated at around 2,050BC, 3rd Dynasty of Ur,
there is a mention of large date plantation. Date stones have been found at excavations
in Northwest India, which have been estimated to have been from around 2,500BC.
The Ancient Egyptians used them fresh, fried or pressed and formed into cakes. The
Romans, too, were extremely fond of dates, which they used as a sweetener, stuffed as
‘sweetmeats’, and made into pastes and sauces to accompany meats and fish.
Dates had reached China by the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), taken by traders from
Persia. As a basic food of the region, the date is mentioned a lot in the Bible and the
Koran credits the date with having sustained Mary throughout her labour when she
delivered Christ.
The date palm is extremely hardy, being able to grow in sandy soil at temperatures in
excess of 50ºC. It is a very reliable producer, the female trees first coming to fruit
when four years old and able to continue for 70 years or more, growing to heights of
around 30m (100ft), although producers tend to cut down trees when they exceed the
15m (50ft) mark and reaching the fruit, which grows at the very top, becomes
difficult.
The fruits are oval, grooved and yellow in colour, and hang down between the fronds
in bunches of around 40, each strand bearing some 30 dates. With 4-5 bunches
ripening at a time, and average yield for a tree is around 50kg (100lb) fruit per annum,
although a good tree can produce two or even three times that amount.
Ayurveda classifies the date as being sweet; an energy giving food which is mildly
laxative and which is said to encourage sperm production.
A large proportion of the harvest is allowed to ripen to the tamer stage, and
sometimes sun-dried before being packed and shipped. Traditional uses are as a handheld fruit, date syrup, dibbs, which is used in making date bread, legaimat (doughnut
cake) and mahmer (sweet rice). The dates are also processed to make preserves and
the countries of origin are continually researching to find new food products. One
such is a weaning food called tamrina which has been developed in Iraq.
Nutritionally, 100g of dates gives 270 kcalories energy and contain protein, fats,
carbohydrates in the form of sugar, fibre, calcium, iron, sodium, vitamin A and
vitamin B1 (thiamin)
Dill(Anethum graveolens)
A member of the umbelliferae family, dill probably originated in the eastern
Mediterranean and was then given a wider influence by the Ancient Romans. Its
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specific name, graveolens, is a description of its 'heavy' scent, the generic name
already having been used for it by the Ancient Romans. It is has been in use since
antiquity; well-known to the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Persians and
Indians.
Introduced into Europe in during the Middle Ages, it quickly became most popular in
Scandinavia, where it is now an almost indispensable flavouring. Some sources
believe that it that this is where it got its common name, from dilla, an Old Norse
word meaning 'to lull'. This is undoubtedly a reference to its calming qualities, which
have taken the major role in the herb's use over the centuries. Dill contains a volatile
oil which calms and settles the stomach, easing colic and flatulence and was a
principle ingredient in gripe water preparations for infants and it also enjoys a
reputation for encouraging milk flow in nursing mothers. Herbalists also use it to
relieve spasms and convulsions and to stimulate menstrual flow.
Dill seeds were once known as ‘Meeting House Seeds’ in this country, as they were
chewed during very long church sermons to stave off hunger pains and to still audibly
rumbling stomachs.
In country magic, a bath scented with dill seeds was believed to draw to your lover to
you and, although supposedly used by witches, dill seed was also said to hamper
them, protecting the bearer from evil, it was also with this belief that sachets
containing the seeds were placed in the cradles of new-born infants.
Dill leaves are delicate and lacy with a sharp, slightly sweet tang that tends to
disappear with drying. Traditionally used with fish and vegetable salads in Western
Europe, dill has a wider use in Scandinavia and Poland, where it is used rather like
parsley or chives in this country, flavouring soured cream, sauces, pickled fish and
vegetables. The dill plant, complete with its ripe seeds, is a classic ingredient in
pickled gherkins
In the East, however, dill really comes into its own, especially in Parsee cooking, here
it can be used to such stunning effect with shellfish and lobster, and to perfectly
complement the lentils and vegetables in their classic dish, Dhansak.
Nutritionally, 100g fresh dill gives 28.48 kcalories energy and contains carbohydrate,
fibre, sodium, protein and iron. 1 tsp dill seeds equals 13.6 kcalories and contains fat,
carbohydrate, fibre, sodium, protein and iron.
Eggs(“A hen is only an egg’s way of making another egg.” Samuel Butler (18351902))
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Samuel Butler obviously thought he had the
age-old riddle worked out. But he may have had a point: Eggs have existed since the
evolution of sexual reproduction in multi-celled organisms around 1 billion years ago;
birds first appeared 150 million years ago; Gallus domesticus, the hen whose eggs we
most commonly use, is a relative latecomer, only arriving on the scene some 4,500
years ago.
The ancestors of the hen lived in the jungles of Southeast Asia and India and were
probably initially bred for use in cockfighting, one of the world’s oldest ‘sports’,
which dates back to at least the 5th century BC in India. The bird has also been used
since earliest times as a means of divination and as a valuable sacrificial offering with
which to appease a god.
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Food use, for both flesh and eggs, would probably have followed quite quickly and, as
each female chick is born bearing 5,000 eggs, 200-250 of which will be laid during
her lifetime, the bird would have been regarded as a better source than most other
species. A pheasant, for example, only lays between 60-80 and a goose a mere 20-30.
The egg is, of course, the perfect fertility symbol and it has been used in spring rituals
since prehistoric times. Egg-rolling at Easter, for example, pre-dates Christianity by
many centuries and was originally part of the spring rites, performed to transfer the
eggs’ fertility to the soil, thus ensuring a good harvest. The Christian faith added a
further spiritual layer to the practice, attempting also to squash the pagan associations
in the process, by explaining the practice as being a re-enactment of the rolling away
of the stone which had sealed Christ in His tomb, allowing Him to rise again and save
mankind.
The Romans loved eggs and Apicius, the Delia Smith of his day, gave instructions on
how to boil and fry eggs and even included a recipe for an early type of custard.
La Ménagier de Paris and The Forme of Cury, cookbooks from the 14th century,
include recipes for omelettes and custards which are very similar to the modern
versions. The Victorians developed a craze for chicken breeding after the cochin, an
exotic variety appeared from China and hundreds of new breeds appeared in a very
short space of time.
Industrialisation brought even more changes: birds born in incubators, fed on a diet of
chemicals, living in cramped cages which cause deformities with egg production
forced up to between 250-290 eggs per bird. However, pressure from modern
consumer groups seems to have started to take effect, with more and more ‘free range’
and organic eggs appearing on supermarket shelves.
Eggs received a bad press during the salmonella crisis, but the slow change in farming
methods and a public awareness of when eggs can be a risk, have helped to ease many
minds. They were also attacked for being high in fat and cholesterol. In fact, an
average egg contains only about 6g fat, about 7% of the average person’s daily intake
and 65% of this fat is the ‘healthy’ unsaturated fat. As to the cholesterol, studies have
shown that, as long as the whole diet is low in saturated fats, the dietary cholesterol in
eggs has very little effect on blood cholesterol levels.
Eggs are rich in lecithin which is good for the nerves and metabolism and are rich in
protein. 100g boiled hen’s egg contains 75% water and gives 147 kcalories energy.
The same weight also provides 12.5g protein, 10.8g fats, 3.1g saturated fatty acids,
57mg calcium, 1.9mg iron, 140mg sodium, 190µg vitamin A, 0.07mg vitamin B1
(thamin).
Fennel(Foeniculum vulgare, Foeniculum dulce, - saunf)
The Latin name is derived from the phrase meaning ‘little hay’, (foenum - hay),
describing its very fine, strand-like leaves. The original wild, bitter fennel, (vulgare),
is thought to have originated in the Mediterranean and has been used in a culinary
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capacity since ancient times.
Medicinal : It was soon discovered, however, that it held quite valuable medicinal
properties and it has been used throughout recorded history for quite a variety of
purposes: for easing flatulence and constipation; as a digestive; in infant colic cures
and gripe waters; as a breath freshener; a hang-over cure; even as a slimming aid, the
seeds being chewed to ward off hunger pangs. The plant is a mild stimulant and a
wash of fennel leaves was used at one time as an eye wash. Hindu and Chinese
medical texts recommend fennel as an antidote to snakebite and Indian women have
used fennel for centuries to stimulate milkflow during nursing.
Not surprisingly, it was cultivated by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans for both its
stems and seeds, as it is also totally edible, leaf, stem, seed and root. Pliny
recommended it as a virtual cure-all and Apicius, the author of the only cookbook to
have survived from the Classical Age, mentions its use as a seasoning, a herb and as a
vegetable in stews.
Sweet fennel (dulce) contains more anethole than its bitter relative, giving it more of
an aniseed flavour. It was mentioned in an edict issued by Charlemagne in the 9th
century and has been a popular flavouring in fish dishes in Italy and France, including
in the Provençal dish, where fish are grilled au fenouil, over burning fennel, which
imparts a characteristic smokiness. Several Anglo-Saxon recipes also used fennel,
especially in those using salted fish, traditionally eaten during Lent. This fulfilled the
dual role of both checking flatulence and constipation and also of making the fish
more palatable. The third member of the family is Florence fennel or finocchio, the
stumpy, thick stalked variety which is used as a vegetable and is very popular in Italy.
Culpeper, the botanist who combined herbalism with astrology, assigned fennel to the
planet Mercury. Anglo Saxon superstition utilised fennel as a ward against evil and
disease and it is listed as one of the nine sacred Saxon herbs. It was hung from
windows and doors to keep away all harm and evil spirits, small amounts were placed
in keyholes to prevent ghosts entering a house, and cows’ udders were smeared with a
paste made from fennel to prevent their milk from being bewitched.
The herb figures strongly in Greek mythology, too. The Titan, Prometheus was said to
have brought the gift of fire to Mankind, hidden in the hollow stem of the fennel
plant. As a punishment for this, Zeus ordered that he be chained to a mountainside
where his liver was eaten by an eagle. Each night the liver grew back, and each day
the eagle feasted again, a torture from which he was eventually rescued by the great
hero, Hercules. The links with certain elements in this story of one of the earliest
benefactors of Man led to its use in rituals for purification, protection and healing.
Nutritionally, 1 teaspoon of ground fennel weighs around 2g and equals 7 kcalories.
It contains some vitamin A, vitamin B1 - good for the nervous system and eyes;
vitamin B2 Medicinal : thought to somehow defuse harmful carcinogens in alcohol and tobacco
that cause cancer of the oesophagus; and niacin - which recent studies have shown
may help to prevent certain cancers and lower overall blood cholesterol levels.
The minerals in fennel are sodium, which helps to maintain body fluid balance;
potassium, which is good for blood pressure and normal heart rhythm; iron, necessary
in the production of red blood cells; magnesium, needed to help the body utilise
vitamin C and calcium in the diet and may help in relieving the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome; zinc, important in cell growth and repair and the proper
functioning of the male reproductive system; a fairly high amount of calcium, which
is not only important for bone and tooth growth and maintenance, but is necessary in
the proper function of every other bodycell.
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Calcium has also been the subject of various health studies in recent years which have
claimed to show a beneficial effect of calcium in helping colonic cancer, heart
cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, pre-menstrual syndrome, and
stroke.
Maybe Pliny was right!
Fenugreek(Trigonella foenum-graecum - Bird's Foot, Methi).
This leguminous native of southern Europe and Asia is known to be one of the oldestknown plants to be cultivated, rather than gathered from the wild; ancient Egyptian
papyri record its routine use medicinally and in the manufacture of the incense, Kuphi,
used for fumigation and in the embalming process.
Its modern western name, fenugreek is actually an abbreviation of the Latin specific
botanical name, which is literally translated as ‘Greek hay’. This is generally thought
to have been a reference to the practice of using it as a fodder plant and as a booster
for inferior quality hay. Both the ancient Romans, in around 2nd century BC, and
Charlemagne, in AD812, are recorded as doing this, and it is a practice still carried
out in the Middle East, although for horses, not milk cattle, as the scent of the
fenugreek is carried through to the milk.
Its folk-name, Bird's Foot, is a descriptive, for the shape of its tri-foliate leaves.
Medicinally, its value has been known since the times of the ancient Greeks, and it
was introduced into European apothecaries some time before the 9th century by
Benedictine monks.
Medicinal : Over the centuries, it has been found that the high mucilage content of
the seeds make them a soothing expectorant for bronchitis and chest complaints; that
the mashed seeds make an excellent poultice for skin problems and boils; fenugreek
wash will ease mouth ulcers and blistered lips.
The plant has been used in the oldest medical regimes to stimulate lactation in both
humans and animals. Unani Tibb, the system of botanical medicine and dietetics
developed by the Persian physician Avicenna, lists fenugreek as being an effective
curative for coughs, tuberculosis, bronchitis, fevers, sore throat, neuralgia, sciatica,
swollen glands, skin eruptions, wounds tumours, sores, asthma and emphysema. In
fact, in Eastern medicine, it is prized so highly that The Prophet Mohammed issued
the dictum: “If you knew the value of fenugreek, you would pay its weight in gold.”
During the Middle Ages, fenugreek acquired something of a reputation as an
aphrodisiac and was used by ‘witches’ and folk healers in love potions and as a cure
for impotence. Modern chemical analysis has actually detected the presence of a
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substance, diosgenin, that acts in a similar way to the body's own sex hormones, so,
whilst I don't have any actual personal experience as to its efficacy, perhaps they were
actually on to something!
This reputation probably led to its subsequent use as a hair tonic; modern Chinese
herbalists still recommend its use for impotence and for restoring hair growth. and it is
still used in some conditioning powders for horse coats.
Nutritionally, 1 teaspoon of dried fenugreek seed weighs around 3.7g and contains 12
kcalories. It is high in protein and carbohydrate and is cholesterol free. It is a source
of vitamins B1, B2, niacin, vitamin C, and the minerals sodium, phosphorous,
potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc. The seed is also higher in folic acid
content, by weight, than either dried yeast or liver.
Because it is both a seed and a legume, fenugreek is quite high in protein, elevating it
in some countries to food status, not merely a spice. Its nutritional value is also
enhanced by sprouting it, like mung or alfalfa seeds, a process which lowers their
calorific value and increases their vitamin C content. The differences are quite slight
when one considers how much one would have to eat, though, so it is probably best to
simply see them as a way to make fresh salad a little more interesting.
Fenugreek is also a vital part of the cooking of the Indian sub-continent, the slightly
bitter, ‘gold- nugget’ seeds giving that characteristic ‘curry’ taste and aroma.
Middle Eastern cookery, too, has its uses for this highly adaptable plant and its
products: the seeds being roasted to provide a coffee substitute and also ground with
sesame seed to make halva. Another unusual use for fenugreek is as the main
flavouring component in synthetic maple syrup.
Today, the largest producers of fenugreek are India, Egypt, the Lebanon and
Argentina, although ever-growing demand from a public which is now experimenting
with Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine is ensuring a better supply of the locally
grown herb.
Personally, we love the stuff. From my favourite Methi restaurant dishes, which
employ it in the dried leaf Kasuri Methi form, to its use, simply, as a roasted spice, to
enhance that usually bland vegetable, the cauliflower. As regular consumers, we can
assure you that our hair is thick and grows very quickly and we very rarely suffer
from any type of chest complaint.
The aphrodisiac properties? We couldn't possibly comment - you'll just have to find
out for yourself!
Fig(Ficus carica)
A member of the mulberry family with pear-shaped, green, brown or purple fruit, it is
a native of Asia Minor, a descendant of the wild caprifig, imported into the
Mediterranean region and used by the Egyptians 6,000 years ago. The wild fig is
small and dry, and relies on an insect called the ‘fig wasp’ for reproduction and so
cultivation began early in prehistory in order to provide a better fruit.
Tomb paintings indicate that figs were being cultivated in Egypt by around 1900BC
and by 1500BC the crop had spread to Crete. By the time of the Roman Empire, new
types of fig appeared which did not depend on the fig wasp for fertilisation and this
was probably when what we know today as the ‘common fig’ appeared. Pliny
(c.AD77) mentioned 29 varieties of fig known to Rome.
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In Ancient Greece and Rome, figs were a staple food, valued for their high sugar and
energy content. The Romans especially considered it a symbol of plenty, leading
some classical scholars to interpret the use of the fig leaf on statuary as not being so
much a preservation of modesty as perhaps a bawdy in-joke. The Greek fig trade gave
us the word sycophant, meaning ‘one who shows the fig’, or someone who has tried to
gain favour by informing on fig smugglers, and it is still a very insulting phrase in the
Mediterranean countries - ‘showing the fig’ is even worse, being an obscene gesture
with the thumb. Ironically, for a fruit which has been so consistently associated with
the ‘baser passions’, it was a cleric, Cardinal Pole, who introduced the fig into this
country in the early 16th century. A few years later, Cortez introduced the tree to
Mexico, from whence it slowly spread northwards, reaching North America by the
end of the 18th century.
Dr Andrew Boorde, (1490-1549), a doctor and unfrocked suffragan bishop of
Chichester, also associated figs with the earthier side of life, stating in his A Dyetary
of Helth that they “doth stere a man to veneryous actes, for they doth urge and
increase the sede of generacyon. And also they doth prouoke a man to sweate;
wherefore they doth engender lyce.” Dr Boorde knew a thing or two about such things
- he was imprisoned shortly before his death for keeping three prostitutes in his
chambers at Winchester. It is not known if he was sweating at the time.
Unani Tibb lists the fig as being a laxative; good for curing constipation. Fresh fig is
also recommended, split open, as a poultice.
Dried figs, whose nutrients are concentrated around six times those of fresh, are a rich
source of potassium and good for calcium, iron and magnesium. The laxative action is
provided by the insoluble fibre contained in the fig which helps in moving food
through the digestive system. They also contain pectin, soluble fibre, which can help
to reduce blood cholesterol levels.
On the down side, dried figs are prone to mould contamination which contain
potentially cancer-promoting toxins, and lots of sugar; high in calories and bad for the
teeth.
100g dried figs, without stones give 209 kcalories of energy, 3.3g protein, 1.5g fat,
48.6g carbohydrate in the form of sugar, 6.9g fibre, 230mg calcium, 3.9mg iron,
57mg sodium, 10µg vitamin A, 0.07mg vitamin B1 and 1mg vitamin C.
Galangal(Alpinia galanga, Alpinia officinarum)
The spice galangal is the rhizome of an herbaceous plant which is native to China.
Similar in appearance and uses to ginger, to which it is related, there are two main
types: greater, Laos (A. galanga), found in Malaysia and Indonesia, and lesser,
Kenchur (A. offciniarum), found in Indonesia.
The Latin generic name was given to commemorate Prospero Alpini (1553-1617), an
Italian botanist who catalogued and described exotic plants. The common name is an
adaptation of the Chinese Liang-tiang.
Used in this country from the time of the Crusades, having been brought back from
the Middle East, it warrants a mention in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, and is used
quite frequently in The Forme of Cury, a recipe book written by the cooks of Richard
II in 1390.
As with all exotic ingredients, galangal enjoyed a reputation for being powerful in
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European ‘magic’. It was used for protection and health; to encourage lust and desire;
to attract money; to enhance and strengthen psychic powers; for breaking evil or
malevolent spells.
It has been used medicinally and possesses similar properties to those of ginger:
stimulant and digestive.
Garlic(Allium sativum)
Its English name is derived from two Anglo-Saxon words - gar, a spear, and leac
(from the same root as leek), a plant - because of its spear-like shape.
Whole books have been dedicated to this pungent bulb and, since time immemorial, it
has been used for ritual healing and culinary purposes. Chinese texts from around
3000 BC described it as “the healing plant”, showing a long understanding of its
benefits to health. The Egyptians are believed to have worshipped garlic and clay
model bulbs were found in Tutankhamun’s tomb. According to Herodotus, the
Egyptians also fed the slave builders of their Great Pyramid at Cheops a daily supply
of garlic to ensure strength and stamina and documented its use as a remedy for
coughs and colds in the Ebers Papyrus (around 1550 BC). The Romans, too, valued it
as a stamina booster and fed it to their soldiers just before battle to give extra strength.
The Ancient Greeks used it to treat gangrene and Hippocrates, the father of medicine
used garlic vapours to treat cervical cancers in around 300 BC. They also believed
that it would protect the soul as well as the body, and would leave offerings at crossroads to placate their goddess of the Underworld, Hecate. It was so important in
Greek society that a section of the market in Athens was named ta skoroda - the
garlic.
In the lst century AD Dioscorides wrote about the ability of garlic to de-clog veins
and arteries. However, it seems that beyond a use in medicine and as a strengthening
addition to the diet of workers and soldiers, the upper classes resisted it. Apicius, the
writer of the only cookery book to have survived from classical times, used it very
rarely and then only for food for the infirm.
In the Middle Ages, European monks chewed cloves of garlic, or ‘the stinking rose’,
as it was then called, to ward off the plague and in World Wars I and II, when
antibiotics were not available, garlic poultices were used on open wounds to prevent
further infection.
Garlic has had its detractors in droves. In India, Brahmins, the priest caste and the Jain
sect are forbidden to eat it, as it promotes ‘base passions’. The Prophet Mohammed
was said to have waved it away, saying that he was a man who had close contact with
others.
In China, in 1st century AD, Hsuan-Ch’ung issued a rule that anyone who wished to
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eat garlic should do so outside the town. A Turkish legend says that garlic first
sprouted where the Devil touched the earth and, in the 14th century, King Alfonso IV
of Castille detested the stuff so much that he formed a society of knights who
renounced it, on oath. Any knight who had a trace of garlic on his breath was exiled
from court for one month.
Mrs Beeton mentioned garlic just once in her Book of Household Management, to say
that it was “generally considered offensive and it is the most acrimonious in its taste”
and it seems to be a popular opinion that, until Elizabeth David and her introduction
of Mediterranean food to the middle classes in the 1950’s, even the mention of garlic
and kitchen in the same breath would set the delicate British aswoon.
On the other hand, there are plenty of those who cannot get enough of it. The selfproclaimed Garlic Capital of the World, Gilroy, in California, attracts thousands
annually to sample everything, from soups to ice-creams, made from garlic.
A great medical school of the Middle Ages, at Salerno, in Italy, saw both sides of the
argument, admitting that it worked against poisons - at a price: “Since garlic then hath
powers to save from death, Bear with it though it makes unsavoury breath”.
Ayurveda, the South Indian study of life forces, calls garlic Rasona or ‘one taste
missing’, as described in the ancient Sanskrit texts. It possesses 5 of the 6 tastes:
pungent, sweet, salty, bitter and astringent - only sour is missing. It credits it with
being able to expel wind, loosen phlegm, as a bacterium, an antiseptic and as an
aphrodisiac. Unani Tibb, the Persian medical and dietary regimen established by
Avicenna over 1,000 years ago, agrees, adding beneficial effects against dysentery,
cholera, typhoid, circulation and heart function and urinary stones.
Herbalists use garlic to ease a variety of complaints, including asthma, nasal
congestion, warts and verrucas, acne and arthritis. Culpeper, the author of The English
Physitian (1652), noted that garlic had a strong and offensive smell and that it was
“...the poor man’s treacle, it being a remedy for all diseases and hurts”.
When the garlic is cut or crushed, allowing the compound, alliin to combine with an
enzyme, also found in garlic, allinase, to form the malodorous allicin. A similar
process in its cousin allium, the onion, produces the tear-provoking reaction when cut.
Allicin may smell bad, but this is just about the only antisocial thing about it. This
compound, in turn, is transformed into diallyl sulphide, which is largely responsible
for garlic’s medicinal qualities: antibiotic, antifungal, bacteriostatic, bactericidal and a
biological insecticide.
Garlic also contains trace minerals; calcium, phosphorous and iron and is rich in
vitamins B1 (thiamin) and vitamin C. Add to this the results from ongoing modern
scientific research that show that garlic may deactivate carcinogens, suppressing the
growth of tumours; that modern research has shown that it lowers blood cholesterol
levels, preventing heart attacks, strokes and blood clots; that it promotes good
circulation, and one could almost forgive its malodorous tendency.
Over 1,000 studies have been carried out to investigate the beneficial properties of
garlic and new results are published on an almost daily basis, adding it seems, more
and more benefits to the list. Scientists at the University of North Carolina recently
announced the results of research that indicated that people who eat raw or cooked
garlic regularly, face only half the risk of stomach cancer and two-thirds the risk of
colon cancer.
It is absorbed so quickly and effectively into the bloodstream, that it is said that if you
rub the sole of your foot with a garlic clove, the smell will be detectable on your
breath after just two minutes! Perhaps it is this quality that is supposed to ward off
vampires, according to folklore.
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Luckily, there is a counter measure to the smell problem - just chew a sprig of fresh
parsley for sweet breath after eating garlic - as long as you're not afraid of vampires,
that is!
Ginger(Zingiber officinale)
One of the so-called 'Wet Trinity'of Indian cooking, ginger, takes it Latin generic
name, Zingiber, from the Sanskrit for ‘horn-shaped’, singabela, emphasising this
rhizome’s similarity in appearance to deer antlers.
It is thought to have originated in Southeast Asia, but this is difficult to track back
accurately, as it is now unknown in its wild state. Cultivated since the 6th century
B.C. by first the Chinese and then the Indians, ginger made its way, courtesy of Arab
traders, into southern Europe well before the rise of the Roman Empire. It soon
became firmly established in both Europe's kitchen and its medicine chest. Its
importance in medicine has been recorded in the very earliest texts; The Koran, The
Talmud and The Bible all mention ginger. Confucius wrote about it in his Analects
and the Greek physician, Dioscorides, listed ginger as an antidote to poisoning, as a
digestive, and as being warming to the stomach in De Materia Medica. In Chinese
medicine, ginger is lyang, hot, and is considered to be good for ailments associated
with cold weather, such as colds, chills and poor circulation.
Ginger certainly warmed English hearts very quickly: almost every sauce recipe to
survive from the Middle Ages lists it as an ingredient and Tudor England loved it,
making it into sweetmeats, cakes and patties. It was said to have been a particular
favourite of Henry VIII - perhaps because of its reputation at that time of being a
powerful aphrodisiac!
Gingerbread became popular in Elizabethan times and it became a popular practice in
Victorian society to nibble crystallised ginger after a meal when it was disclosed that
Chinese medicine recommended it for the digestion. British country folklore and
‘white witchcraft’ used it in a similar way to galangal in ‘magic’ spells, to enhance
and strengthen their power and Culpeper, the astrologer-herbalist, assigned its ruler as
the planet Mars.
Medicinal : Ayurveda uses ginger in both dried (sunthi) and fresh (adraka) forms. It
is used for its warming effect and can be used by all three doshas, or life forces. It is
said to strengthen the stomach, and to promote the secretion of saliva, aiding digestion
and is used as a decongestant and anti-inflammatory. It is also used to treat colds and
chills, rheumatism, diarrhoea and constipation. Unani Tibb also uses the rhizome as a
digestive and to counter nausea and chest ailments.
Modern science has, of course, analysed it very closely, as it does all foodstuff.
teaspoon of dried, ground ginger weighs approximately 1.8g and has an energy value
of 6 kcal. It is high in carbohydrate and has no cholesterol. It does, however, contain
vitamins A, Bl, B2, niacin, sodium, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, iron,
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magnesium, copper and zinc.
Fresh root ginger is high in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant which helps to boost the
immune system and is probably one of the reasons that it is one of several foodstuffs
currently being investigated by several U.S. cancer research programmes for its
anticarcinogenic properties. Its vitamin C content is almost certainly the reason that it
was used by ancient Chinese sailors to prevent scurvy.
Ginger has been used to help eliminate toxins from the body, as it promotes sweating
and stimulates the circulation, and its antinausea properties are well-known, having
long been used for morning sickness in pregnancy, travel sickness and, more recently,
to help combat the nausea associated with chemotherapy.
Externally, too, ginger is a potent weapon and is a major ingredient in anti-spasmodic
rubbing oils and is said to relieve aching muscles and cramps and a warm ginger
compress will relax menstrual cramps and pains.
Herbs
Early Man found that by using the rather risky process of trial and error, he could
expand the range of plants that he could utilise for culinary, medicinal and
preservative purposes.
The oldest recorded use for plants is medicinal and references to formal medical
practice have been found dating back to 10,000BC. Ancient Sumerian and Egyptian
records, dating from before 2,500BC, indicate a sophisticated and highly skilled
knowledge of herbal medicine.
The Ebers Papyrus c.(1,800BC) , discovered in 1874 by Georg Montz Ebers, details
over 800 plants which were commonly prescribed for medicine, ritual and used in the
embalming processes. The Babylonians left records showing that they grew bay,
thyme and coriander and regularly traded in herbs, spices and aromatic oils with the
Egyptians.
Parallel development seemed to occur in China and India. The pharmacopeia
compiled on the orders of Emperor Shen Nung, dated at around 2,700BC shows a
deep knowledge of medicinal herbalism and the Rig Veda, one of the ancient Hindu
scriptures, lists more than a thousand healing plants.
Knowledge spread from Egypt and Mesopotamia to Greece, from where it was
gradually absorbed into Roman culture, taken by flow of Greek physicians who
travelled through the classical world. Perhaps the most famous of these early
herbalists is Egyptian-born Asclepius who practised in around 1,250BC. The names of
his daughters, Panacea and Hygeia, who helped him, are certainly bound to be
familiar, having entered modern medical terminology for a universal remedy and
sanitary science respectively.
The growth of herbalism, however, was largely dependant upon illiterate itinerant
gather/practitioners to source, evaluate and gather the plants. There was, of course, a
good deal of danger attached to this occupation, so it became the practice to use
special mystical incantations and rituals to protect themselves against any evil which
might befall them, building up a strong framework of ‘magic’ and belief in the occult.
A more scientific approach, based on diagnosis and treatment, was introduced by
Hippocrates (460-377BC). His work was augmented by a Greek army doctor,
Dioscorides, who published his work De Materia Medica, in the 1st century, in which
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he describes and lists more than 500 plants. Around the same time, Pliny the Elder
(23?-79) produced his Historia Naturalis, the only one of the 37 books which
comprised his encyclopaedia of the arts and sciences to have been preserved,
describing plants and their uses.
The Dark Ages brought very little progress and it was not until the 8th century, when
Arab physicians started translating early texts, adding their own observances. The
most famous of these, the Moslem healer, Hakim Abu Ali al-Husayn Abd Allah Ibn
Sina (born AD980), whose name was, not surprisingly, shortened and changed by
westerners to Avicenna, contributed his huge work, al-Qanun fi al-Tibb (The Canon
of Medicine). Consisting of five volumes, totalling 1,000,000 words, he drew together
all the medical knowledge of the period in the work, refining it into a science, and
providing the basis for the Unani Tibb school of medicine which is still being
practised over 1,000 years later.
The 10th century also saw the first Anglo-Saxon herbal. Written in the common
tongue, The Leech Book of Bald, placed its emphasis very firmly on magic and ritual.
When the printing press was invented in the 15th century, some of the first and most
influential volumes were herbals and the Elizabethan age saw a rash of texts
appearing all over Europe: Herbarium viva eicones (1530), Otto von Brunfels; Newe
Herball (1551), William Turner; Historie of Plantes (including New World plants
such as the potato and tomato, 1597), John Gerard.
In 1652, during the Commonwealth period in England, Nicholas Culpeper produced
his volume, The English Physition, in which he combined both herbal observations
and uses with their astrological natures. In 1664 The Kräuter Buch (The Plant Book),
was published in Basel, by Dr Jakob Theodor Taberaemontanus. Three volumes,
providing information on all the possible uses of over 3,000 European plants, both
wild and cultivated.
Herbalism still has a strong following today, but practitioners emphasise the
importance of using the whole herb, not just the extract, arguing that Nature has
provided internal foils for the active principles of the plant which ensure a safe and
proper balance in its effects on the human body. For example, ephedrine, an alkaloid
found in the Chinese herb, Ma Huang, when extracted and used as a drug for the
treatment of asthma, was found to produce a dangerous rise in blood pressure levels.
However, the whole plant contains another active ingredient which balances this
effect by slowing down the heart rate and blood pressure.
Modern herbals often distinguish between culinary and medicinal herbs, but in earlier
time, there was no such distinction, as all foods were seen to have an effect, good or
bad, upon one’s state of health. Most of the common vegetables of today were used in
healing potions or poultices at one time or another and, like the Eastern doctrines of
Ayurveda and Unani Tibb, the use of herbs and vegetables were largely
interchangeable.
Honey
‘I eat my peas with honey,
I've done is all my life.
It makes the peas taste funny
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- but it keeps them on the knife-’ anon.
One of the first things that Man learned to domesticate during his transition from
hunter-gatherer to farmer was the honey-bee. It is thought by some scholars that the
first use of honey originated in Central Asia, as a lot of the early names for honey are
similar to both the Chinese Myit and Sanskrit Madhu. Whether true or not, it was most
certainly in very deep pre-history, as Stone Age cave paintings near Valencia in
Southern Spain depict scenes of a man robbing a wild bees’ nest.
As with many core foods, honey was regarded as holy - a gift from God and,
accordingly, was endowed with mystical attributes.
Honey is produced specifically as a food , as is milk, the first food for all mammals,
so it is natural that much of Man’s mythology links the two. The Greek God, Zeus
was hidden from his murderous father Kronus, by his mother, Rhea, and fed upon
milk and honey. Milk and honey were also the two basic foods which awaited the
Israelites in the Promised Land, symbolising God's promise that His children would
want for nothing.
Ambrosia, the food of the Olympian Gods, was often assumed to be honey as both
were believed to promote longevity. Following this belief, Democritus, the ancient
Greek philosopher and physician developed a diet which included honey, to promote
eternal life, and, supposedly, lived to 109 years old. The ancients offered honey to
their gods, usually in the form of honey cakes, which they placed upon their shrines although Rameses III of Egypt went a little further, offering the equivalent of 15 tons
of honey to the Nile God, Hapi!
The Ancient Egyptians also used honey in cosmetics, and beeswax for, amongst other
things, a heat-setting process which set the paint on their sarcophagi. There were even
taxes levied, payable in honey. Small wonder then, that the first-known records of
man-made hives are from Ancient Egypt, in the temple of Ni-weser-Re, dating from
around 2,500BC. Ancient Mesopotamian texts relate how Shamash-resh-uzur, the
governor of Sukhi and Ma’ar introduced bee-keeping there some 3,000 years ago,
probably imported from the Hittites, who were known to be ardent bee-keepers.
Charlemagne, the Frankish King, demanded that bees be kept and that 2/3 of the
honey and 1/3 of the beeswax produced be paid in duty. The French continued taxing
hives until as recently as the 1930's.
The link with God and Truth is enduring and seems to have been a world-wide
development. The Hebrew word for bee is dbure, meaning word, as the bee is said to
bring the Divine Word. In places as diverse as Africa, Germany and India, honey was
placed upon the lips of infants to endow wisdom and happiness.
The Koran states that honey is a 'medicine for man' and The Prophet Mohammed said
that the bee should be treated with deference, as it is the only animal to be addressed
by the Lord himself. In Christianity, the Roman Mass is supposed to be celebrated
using only beeswax candles, as the bee was blessed by God after the Fall of Man.
In English Country Lore, every event in the family was ‘told’ to the bees - especially a
death - before dawn of the next day, or the bees would die too, and the bees were
often taken along to the funerals too.
Medicinal : In medicine, Aristotle and Hippocrates both studied the bee and
Hippocrates prescribed cures using honey for skin disorders, ulcers, sores, respiratory
complaints, sweats and fever. One medical use dating back as far as 2,500BC, is in the
treatment of burns and open wounds. It apparently works by forming a protective
barrier, preventing further infection. It is also believed to contain a natural antibiotic,
inhibine, and that it draws out water from bacteria, causing them to dehydrate and die.
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Field surgeons used honey and cod liver oil dressings for open wounds quite
effectively in WWI.
Another Old English cure, this time for ear ache, calls for a piece of onion, dipped in
honey, to be placed in the ear. Honey has also been used to induce sleep and Ancient
Roman physicians used it as a digestive curative and cleanser. There have also been
more modern claims that common gut bacteria, such as Salmonella and EColi are
unable to survive in honey, and an article in one medical journal claimed that a 25%
addition of honey to a remedy for diptheria was found to act as an antiseptic and
prevented the bacilli from propagating.
Ayurveda classifies honey as an astringent, rather than sweet, taste for its effects. It is
energy giving, stimulates the digestion and is cooling. It is used to clean and heal
sores and also to help in the healing of fractured bones. It is thought to strengthen
sight and voice; act as heart tonic; cure nausea, hiccups, poisoning, asthma, bronchitis,
swelling and diarrhoea.
Homeopathic practitioners use local pollen-laden, unrefined honeys to boost
resistance to hayfever and it is believed that honeys made from the nectars of healthbenefiting plants can help in the same way as the donor plant. i.e. eucalyptus honey
may be beneficial in treating respiratory complaints. However, this also works both
ways, as pollen from the Rhododendron produces toxic honey which can cause
paralysis.
But the best known medicinal use for honey is for soothing the throat and even today,
some proprietary brands of cough cures still rely on a honey base.
Honey is one of the few foods that has always been used world-wide. The Guayaki
Indians of Paraguay do not cultivate the land or trap animals, and only use fishing and
hunting in the most primitive forms. Honey is their basic food and their whole culture
relies on it. The Maya of Yucatan used several bee ceremonies in their rituals and, like
the Egyptian Pharaohs, the Aztec rulers were also offered honey as tributes and a form
of taxation. Warriors of the Masai tribe, in Easy Africa, would traditionally take
nothing but honey with them on their long journeys.
Maybe because of its sweet quality, honey has long been associated with youth and
love and is yet another one of the long list of foodstuffs which has been attributed
with aphrodisiac powers. The ‘Honeymoon’ was the European tradition, a month
during which the newlyweds could enjoy a sweet period in each other’s company
before the ‘real’ marriage began. Some Hindu marriages also used a similar analogy:
a bowl of honey was placed before the couple, with the groom telling his bride,
“Honey, this is honey; the speech of thy tongue is honey; in my mouth lives the honey
of the bee; in my teeth lives peace.”
Honey is produced by bees from plant nectar. It takes the nectar from approximately
1,500,000 flowers to make just one jar of honey.
It is usually made up of around 38% fructose (usually, the clearer the honey, the
higher the fructose level), 31 % glucose, 2% sucrose, 17% water, and very small
amounts of thiamin ascorbic acid, riboflavin, pantygiothenic acid, rydoxine, niacin,
pollen and traces of wax, although modern heat treatments can destroy these, and it is
for these nutrient values that it has become more valued than the ‘empty’ calories
provided by refined sugars. It is also thought to be more easily digested by invalids,
the sugars having been partially broken down by the bees.
Athletes through the ages, from the first Olympic Games onwards, have used honey as
an energy booster, the two main sugars acting in tandem to give two levels of energy:
the sucrose being almost instantly absorbed for an instantly, the fructose providing a
more sustained supply.
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Great beauties throughout history, including Cleopatra, have used honey to prevent
wrinkling and to soften the skin, and Queen Anne of England used a ‘secret’
preparation of olive oil and honey for her famously lustrous hair.
Honey has been used in fermented drinks world-wide and these were said to have
been drunk by Dionysius, the Greek god of wine and his Roman alter-ego, before the
cultivation of the vine. Historians have found references to mead, the English version,
dating back to 334BC and it remained the staple drink in this country until well into
the 19th century.
Honey was vital to the European economy until the Renaissance and the influx of
sugar from exotic parts, until finally sugar replaced honey as the common sweetener
and the new practice of using hops and grains for flavouring beers and ales overtook
that old favourite, mead.
Oh, and by the way, it's great in cooking, too!
Legumes
The second most important plant family used in the human diet, the first being the
grasses, and both are thought to have been first domesticated just over 10,000 years
ago.
Beans, though, are on average, twice as rich in proteins as grains and are especially
rich in iron and B group vitamins. This makes them an ideal source of protein for
vegetarian communities, such as Southern India, where they form an important part of
the diet. Some, like the green pea and haricot, are eaten green and in the pod, when
they contain more vitamin A and vitamin C, but much less protein.
In ancient Rome, four of the most prominent families too the names of legumes:
Fabius - faba bean; Lentulus - lentils; Piso - pea; Cicero - chick-pea. Beans are a good
source of protein, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. They are a good source of
iron, low in fact and an excellent source of fibre, especially soluble fibre, which may
help prevent the erratic blood sugar levels that lead to cravings for sweet foods. Fibre
also helps to lower blood cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease.
All the pulses score well on the Glycaemic Index, the scale invented to help in the
treatment of diabetes, which is used to measure the rate at which blood sugar levels
rise when a particular carbohydrate bearing food is ingested. Low level GI foods are
longer term energy maintenance and keeping blood sugar levels constant. GI scores
below 50 are seen as the best on the scale, whilst those that score above 70 are
regarded as best eaten with a lower scoring food - and less frequently.
Broad bean - Faba vulgaris, Vicia faba. Also called the faba or fava bean, this was the
only bean known in Europe until the discovery of the Americas. Cultivated since the
Man’s earliest times, this humble legume managed to spark a debate which has
spanned 26 centuries. In the 6th century BC Pythagoras, the Greek Philosopher and
mathematician advised his followers, “Abstain from beans”.
From anyone else these words might have been taken at face value. But they were
spoken, without any further enlightenment as to why, by a philosopher - a positive
invitation to further speculation. One source says that Aristotle believed that they
were forbidden because they resemble testicles. Cicero, Plutarch and St. Jerome all
held the theory that it was because they possessed aphrodisiac qualities. St Jerome
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was so convinced that he forbade their consumption by nuns! Roman writer Diogenes
Laertius explained that it was because they contain the souls of the dead, a belief
which was also held by the ancient Egyptians, who, even though they cultivated them,
regarded them as being unclean.
The Greeks, too, held this same belief and some scholars give as a supportive
argument the fact that the Greek word, anemos, can be translated as both wind and
soul. For whatever reason, this particular conviction was held very widely and almost
all the ancient societies used the broad bean as funerary offerings or food in some
way. Even the Celts, whose funeral beanfeasts gave us the word beano.
Another argument which has been put forward for Pythagorus’ distrust of the bean is
that he may have been a sufferer of favism, a sensitivity to broad beans, suffered by a
very small number of people, especially in the Mediterranean, which can lead to
anaemia and jaundice.
Writers John Lyly and Thomas Fuller opt for the more prosaic argument that the sage
was offering oblique advice to his followers to steer away from politics, as the Greek
voting system was based on the use of different coloured beans. Jonathan Swift
(1667-1745) certainly had no doubts about the message, clearly stating where he stood
on the subject in his advice for conjugal bliss for newlyweds:
“Keep them to wholesome foods confin’d,
Nor let them taste what causes wind:
‘Tis this the sage of Samos means,
Forbidding his disciples beans.”
The French obviously held no such misgivings about the bean, however: it is said that
their common name is derived from the French word for ‘good’, bien.
Medicinal : Nutritionally, the broad been is good. High in fibre, low in fat, and
contain iron, niacin, vitamin E and vitamin C and 100g provides a quarter of the daily
requirement of phosphorous, good for health bones and teeth. The shelled beans also
contain beta-carotene the vegetable form of vitamin A. Broad beans have also hit the
news recently as being another food which may help to combat cancer - particularly
cancer of the bowel. Scientists have tested the effect of plant proteins, lectins, taken
from broad beans on colonic cancer cells and found that they not only improved the
ability of those cells to fight the cancer but they also inhibited further growth. The
findings, by researchers at both Hammersmith Hospital and the Imperial College of
Science, Technology and Medicine, also show that they may help malignant cells
become more like normal, healthy cells. G.I. 79
Chick-pea - Cicer arietinum. The pulse which gave its name to perhaps the most
famous of the four families were sold, mixed with lupin seeds, as a hot street snack in
Rome and evidence from archaeological sites in Palestine indicate that it was used
around 4,000BC. The specific name refers to the fact that it was thought that the seed
resembled the head of a ram, Aries. In the Middle East it forms the basis for many of
the dishes, such as hummus (also the Arab name for the chick-pea), rendered into a
paste with garlic. In India it is known as channa and has been a major food since the
2nd millennium BC. It is used in whole form, as a dal (split) and can be milled into a
fine flour, besan, which is used to make pakoras, battered savouries. Chick-pea flour
is also popular in northern Italy, used to make the crisp, light pastry for small pizze.
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G.I. 36
Common bean - Phaseolus vulgaris Developed by selective breeding into hundreds of
varieties, which include the navy, field, pinto, black, haricot, dwarf and red kidney
beans, this branch of the family originates in South America. Each variety is seen to
fulfil a particular role: white with pork, black with tortillas, and so on. Excavations at
Peruvian sites have revealed that Jack beans were being cultivated in around 5,000BC
and remains of kidney beans have been found in Mexico which date back to around
3,000BC. Like a lot of the foodstuffs from the continent, they were brought to Europe
courtesy by returning Spanish explorers, and rapidly established their place as the
most important family of legumes in Europe.
The first beans to reach England, dark and kidney-shaped were duly dubbed ‘kidney
bean’ by the English, whilst the French gamely tried using the Aztec ayacotl, which
was soon turned into the more Gallic sounding haricot. The most widely used bean in
the country, mainly in the form of canned, baked beans, is the navy or pea bean, socalled because it formed part of the rations for the US Navy at one time. Another
member of this group which is popular in this country, the red kidney bean, is an
excellent source of dietary fibre, potassium and folic acid and a good source of iron.
G.I. 31
Lentil - Lens culinaris. Probably the first cultivated legume, sometimes linked with
wheat and barley, which may have been domesticated at around the same time. Its
name is taken from the Latin word lens, which is now used to describe a doubleconvex disc of glass - lentil-shaped. The Bible (Genesis 25:29-34) describes how
Esau, the elder twin son of Isaac, sold his birthright to his brother, Jacob, for a bowl of
lentil pottage.
It has the second highest protein content in the plant kingdom, next to soy, at 25%,
which is why it is such a valued part of any vegetarian diet, especially in Southeast
Asia. It is probably also why the lentil plays such a large part in the devout Christian
diet during Lent, replacing much of the protein usually gained from meat products at
other times of the year - with the added bonus of the opportunity for that English
pastime, the play on words - in some areas they are still known as ‘Lent tills’.
The lentil is a good source of dietary fibre, rich in folic acid and contains a good
amount of potassium. Also, as with the other grains and seeds, it contains phytates,
which may ward off cancerous changes in body cells. So, it is good for you - but good
enough to pass up the chance to father a nation?
G.I. 29
Mung bean - Vigna radiata. More familiar in the West for the sprouted form which
graces salad bars from California to Bognor, this native of India has been grown since
prehistory for human and animal food, and to provide a form of fertiliser. Producing
several fast-growing crops a year, the bean is an inexpensive and efficient food
source. In India, the beans are also milled, for use as a gram flour and split, as a dal.
The split, dried mung beans do not require soaking, as with many other dried pulses,
are easily digested and cooked speedily. In China they are used in their sprouted form
and as a source of starch to make the almost transparent fen si (cellophane noodles).
They are a source of manganese, iron, folic acid, magnesium and phosphorous.
Sprouted, they are extremely low in calories and high in vitamin C and fibre.
G.I. 29
Pea - Pisum saativum. Evidence of the use of field-peas and lentils has been found at a
site at Jarmo, in Iraq, which dates back to 6,500BC. Remains of peas have also been
found at prehistoric lake-site dwellings in Switzerland and Iron Age settlements at
Glastonbury. It was grown by both the Greeks and Romans, spreading down to India,
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where it became very popular. It was introduced into China in 7th century, where it is
known as hu tou (foreign legume).
The pea was an important source of protein in the Middle Ages, pease pudding, made
from split peas, being almost a staple. When the garden pea made an appearance in
the 16th century, it caused quite a stir and, by the end of the 17th century, fashionable
ladies on both sides of the Channel were developing what might be regarded as an
addiction for eating bowls of small, fresh sweet peas (petit pois). In the Regency
period, that famous icon of ‘Polite Society’, George ‘Beau’ Brummell (1178-1840),
when asked it was true that he never touched vegetables, apparently replied, “I once
ate a pea”. Proof of the pea’s irresistable charm - or its power to repel?
Peas are a fair source of vitamin C, but are rich in vitamin B1 (thiamin), utilised by
the body for controlling energy release. They are also a good source of fibre.
However, fresh peas start to lose their nutrient value within hours of being picked,
making frozen peas, where this loss process is halted, one of the best forms.
G.I. 51 (fresh)
Runner Bean - Paseolus coccineus. In Central America, where this variety originated,
the indigenous population use this variety for its roots, seeds and pods. It was
introduced into England in the time of Charles I, by his gardener, Tradescant, for its
bright red flowers.
Nutritionally, they are similar to green peas, with a similar amount of fibre, vitamin C
and folic acid, 100g providing a quarter of an adult non-smoker’s requirement for
vitamin C and a fifth of that for folate. However, it is estimated that up to a third of
these nutrients are lost to boiling.
G.I. 51
Soy Bean - Glycine maximus. The soy bean is thought to have first been cultivated in
China in the 3rd millennium BC, and it is mentioned in texts which go back as far as
2,800BC. The first seeds were brought to Europe by German botanist, Engelbert
Kaenfer in 1692, but it failed to make an impact in Europe at the time as, when treated
purely as a bean, the soy is less than impressive, being bitter and tough. In India it
enjoy slightly more success and joined their repertoire of pulses under the guise of
white gram.
In fact the first use for this highly adaptable foodstuff in the West was for purely
industrial purposes, in such things as paints, varnishes and soaps. However, with the
advent of the Second World War, things changed. It was soon seen as an invaluable
padder for meat products like pies and sausages, an ideal choice, for its amino acid
balance is nearly as good as that of meat. Other applications followed; with the
invention of hydrogenation, soy margarine appeared and, because of its high protein
content, it was soon being used for stock feed.
Soy milk, used by many people who suffer from lactose intolerance, is made from
crushed beans which have been boiled and filtered, and has been used in China, where
dairy products are not generally consumed, since ancient times. Tofu or bean curd,
known as the ‘cheese of Asia’ is made by grinding cooked soya beans to produce the
milk, which is then coagulated using calcium sulphate, making it a good source of
calcium, providing roughly a third of the average daily requirement. It is high in
protein, low in saturated fats, cholesterol-free and 100g gives an energy value of 73
kcalories and is a fair source of vitamin E and the mineral manganese. The soy bean’s
fibre is removed during tofu processing, making it easier to digest, but fried tofu can
add to the calorie count, as it can absorb up to 15% of the fat used to fry it in.
Soy sauce, the ‘salt and pepper of the East’, appeared during the Zhou Dynasty (1134246BC) and was originally in the form of a thick paste called mesho. Eventually this
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evolved into two products, shoyu, the liquid sauce, and miso, a thick paste. It is made
from soya beans which have been fermented over a long period of time, in the case of
the ‘special’ sauces, years, and is extremely high in sodium. Several versions of soy
exist throughout the East: the regular light and dark sauces (which also contain wheat
and hence unsuitable for those with gluten intolerance); Kecap, an Indonesian variety
made from black soy beans; Tamari, made without wheat from whole beans.
Soya products are rich in isoflavones - hormone-like substances that mimic the effect
of oestrogen, phytoestrogens - and these have come under close scrutiny in recent
years. It was noticed that Japanese women, who eat rather a lot of soy in one form or
another, rarely complain of the adverse menopausal symptoms that seem to affect so
many Western women. Separate studies have also shown that women who enjoy a
diet which is rich in soya isoflavones had a lower rate of breast cancer than women
who don’t. Japanese men, too, seem to benefit from this isoflavone-rich diet, with
prostate cancer figures being significantly lower than those for Western men. It is
thought that this may be due to the fact that a substance called genistein, which blocks
the growth of the capillaries which supply tumours with blood, has been found in the
urine of people who regularly eat soya-rich food.
However, enthusiasm is for these effects is by no means universal. Some scientists
believe that although these and other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and
osteoporosis, are lower in such populations, we should beware of a ‘jumping on the
bandwagon’ reaction by flooding the market with phytoestrogen supplements. They
say that supplements may not have the same health benefits as the substance as eaten
in the foods; although soya food products has been shown to lower blood cholesterol
rates there is, as yet, no evidence to show that the extracted phytoestrogen has the
same effect in isolation. In fact, some researchers who gave pure phytoestrogens to
animals, found that it did not protect them against cancer and in one study, where
animals were given genistein, the risk of cancer actually increased. The underlying
warning is, as in traditional herbalism, ‘Nature probably knows best’; substances in
foodstuffs which are beneficial are better when not taken out of the food matrix.
In fact, one research scientist, Dr Richard Sharpe, of the Medical Research Council
Reproductive Biology Unit in Edinburgh, has gone on record as stating that he
definitely avoids buying anything containing soya products for his children, despite
the fact that it has been hailed by so many as an anti-cancer agent. He says that he has
seen results of studies which show that, in female animals, soy can produce the
equivalent of premature menopause and that the increased intake of oestrogens can
lead to lower sperm counts in males, “Until I have a reassurance that it doesn’t have
comparable effects on humans, I would rather not give it to my children.” Professor
Tom Sanders, of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, King’s College, London,
says that the effect is not just restricted to children and that a soya-rich diet has been
found to have a feminising effect on vegan males and that soya can disrupt the
menstrual cycle in women, “Many vegetarians don’t eat meat because they are
concerned about the hormone content, but the hormone content of soya is much
higher.”
The jury, it appears, is still out. G.I. 15
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Lettuce(Lactuca sativa)
A large family of plants that include chicory, endive and the thistle, and which
probably grew wild all over temperate Europe and East Asia before being brought
under cultivation., probably for the soporific medicinal properties of the latex
produced by the wild varieties, and which was used in cough medicines until quite
recent times. The modern, cultivated varieties also contain the ‘lettuce opium’, as it is
also known, but to a lesser extent.
The Ancient Egyptians used lettuce as an offering to their fertility god, Min, probably
because the latex or ‘milk’ was also believed to be an aphrodisiac, and tomb drawings
depicting lettuce have been discovered which date back to around 4,500BC. The
Assyrians also believed in its powers of sexual stimulation and it is listed as having
been grown in the famed gardens of King Merodach-Baladan of Babylon.
Hippocrates, Aristotle and Theophrastus all mention lettuce and Pliny refers to the
plant, saying that the Greeks called it ‘poppy lettuce’ because of the soporific quality
of the milk.
The Romans used lettuce, which is where it got its name: lac, milk, for the latex
becoming lactuca, lettuce. It was a popular vegetable, initially used at the end of a
meal to help digestion and induce sleep. Towards the end of the classical period, as
more varieties with less soporific qualities were developed, the lettuce switched ends
and began being used as a starter instead. Apicius, the author of the only surviving
recipe book from the period, used lettuce in several recipes, and recommended endive
as a winter replacement. Chaucer mentions lettuce, used in a culinary role, in his
Canterbury Tales in the 14th century, and it was one of the seed crops taken with the
early settlers to the New World.
By the time of Andrew Boorde, the traveller, doctor and unfrocked bishop whose 16th
century book, A Dyetary of Helthe, listed medical and dietary advice, the lettuce had
lost its reputation as a love booster. His opinion was that “Lettyse doth extynct
veneryous actes”.
Modern herbalists tend to emphasise the calming effects of lettuce, recommending a
bowl of darker leaves for stress, restlessness and insomnia.
Medicinal : Nutritionally, the lettuce is a useful source of folates, or folic acid, which
is important for women in early pregnancy and those planning a pregnancy, as it helps
to prevent birth defects. The darker leafed lettuces, such as cos, are also a good source
of beta-carotene, the vegetable form of vitamin A, which is a powerful antioxidant
and may help to prevent heart disease and some forms of cancer.
100g of lettuce gives 14 kcalories of energy, carbohydrate, fibre, calcium, iron,
sodium, vitamin A, thiamin (vitamin B1) and a very small amount of vitamin C.
IF FOOD BE THE FUEL OF
LUST....
Since time immemorial, food and love have travelled arm-in-arm: a good dinner is an
almost universal prelude to a good night’s passion, sharing food for some being a
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prerequisite to sharing love. The less serious, though, should be warned, as in some
cultures, the union that follows is intended for life, not just one night. Little wonder,
then that through the ages man, and his sometime accomplice in such matters, woman,
should have wanted to make sure that the food matched the occasion.
Aphrodite, from whose name the word 'aphrodisiac' is derived, has cast her mantle
over many foods through the ages and the following is just a small list of candidates.
Naturally, spices, expensive and aromatic, have long been regarded as love boosters.
Cardamom, second only to black pepper in importance on the Malabar Coast, has
been used since 5th century BC and Nicholas Culpeper, who combined herbalism
with astrology assigned it to Venus, even though it is strictly a member of the ginger
family, which is ruled by Mars, for this reason (The English Physitian, 1652).
Black Pepper, another expensive spice in classical times, was also seen as a powerful
aphrodisiac. Greek and Roman courtesans used a mixture of black pepper and myrrh,
mixed with equal quantities of two scents named Cyprus and Egyptian as a love
potion.
Coriander, with the slightly narcotic properties that earned its early European name of
'dizzycorn', was used, along with cumin by the early Egyptians, as an important
ingredient in magic love potions and made into eau-de-toilette in 17th century Paris.
Cumin is also valued in witchcraft as an ingredient for ensuring fidelity.
Fenugreek, the spice that gives curry its characteristic smell, contains diosgenin, a
substance that acts in a similar way to the body's own sex hormones and is
recommended by Chinese herbalists to cure impotence and the Prophet Mohammed
decreed that its seeds should be valued “as much as the gold they resemble”.
Saffron, the most expensive spice, probably gained its status in this category of foods
because of its high value and its use as a dye for royal and holy garments, making it a
symbol of power and status since the earliest times - and power and wealth has always
been the strongest aphrodisiac.
Cinnamon, a beautiful, sweet spice, is not traditionally regarded as an aphrodisiac, but
it has been shown to help insulin work more efficiently in converting glucose into
energy - and plenty of that is needed in seduction.
Ginger, hot and lusty, was regarded as ‘nookie nosh’ in the Tudor period and was
Henry VIII’s favourite spice for this very reason! It is actually a very good digestive
and probably helped him recover more from those extravagant banquets he loved
more than anything else.
Nuts and lentils - so important in South Indian cuisine, are high in manganese, a
mineral that assists in the production of a substance that transmits sensual experiences
to the brain's pleasure centres.
Vegetables too play their part. Those high in vitamin C, such as okra (bindi), sweet
peppers, tomatoes (strictly a fruit), etc. may prevent DNA damage in sperm, helping
to prevent infertility.
Foods high in vitamin A, such as dark green vegetables and yellow or orange fruit,
and vegetables, such as carrots, pumpkin, yam and yellow squash are worth looking
out for too, as vitamin A is essential in the production of sex hormones.In women, it
counteracts excess oestrogen, which, in quantity, can reduce sex drive. Another useful
vitamin is B6, found in brown rice, fish and peanuts.
Figs were a staple food in ancient Greece and were fed to athletes to improve stamina
whilst oysters, being high in zinc, are certainly good for male potency.
The most unlikely of all aphrodisiacs must be garlic and onions, whose properties are
said to 'inflame the baser passions'. This is one of the reasons that Hindu Brahmin and
Jain sects ban them from their diet. This theory was also put forward by Andrew
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Boorde in the 16th century. In his 'A Dyetary of Helth' he said that 'Onions doth
promote a man to veneryous acts'. Obviously the man had no sense of smell! Even
this can be countered by a sprig of parsley, giving you a shot of vitamins C and A,
both good for the sex drive!
Lychee(Litchi chinensis, Nephelium litchi)
Originally from China and a member of the family which includes the rambutan
(Nephelium lappaceum) and longan (Dimocarpus longan), the fruit takes its name
from the original Chinese name, li chih and can be spelt lichee and litchi. The fruit has
been cultivated and treasured in the tropical and warmer sub-tropical regions of its
home country for about 2,000 years. The fruit was considered a delicacy in the
northern regions and there was even a special ‘pony express’, instituted in the 1st
century AD, to bring lychees to the imperial court. The exiled poet, Su Tung-po was
said to have eaten 300 lychees a day, and stated that the fruit would reconcile one to
eternal banishment and, during the Sung Dynasty (AD960-1279), there was special
Treatise written, emphasising the importance of the fruit.
The greatest challenge that the lychee posed to early travellers was a description of its
exotic appearance and taste to a public that would, in all probability, never see or eat
one. In 1684 Vaertijn preferred to not even try, describing it simply as a ‘Chinese
Chestnut’. In 1824 Bishop Heber proffered the admirable “a sort of plum, with the
flavour of a Frontignac grape”, whilst a gardener from the same period liberally
daubs on the purple prose with, “the lichi, hiding under a shell of ruddy brown its
globes of translucent and delicately flavoured flesh.”
Today, lychees are grown throughout the Eastern tropics, in a band which includes
Thailand, Bangladesh and Bihar, Northern India and, in the West, Hawaii and Florida.
South Africa is also a major grower. Most of the fruit consumed in this country are
canned, but fresh lychees are increasingly available, from November to January.
The longan is slightly smaller and paler than the lychee with the same translucent
flesh which surrounds a large, shiny black seed, earning it the metaphoric name,
Dragon’s Eye.
Their Malaysian cousin, the rambutan takes its name from the Malay word for hair,
rambut because of the long, hair-like spines which grow from its skin.
All members of the family are good to rich sources of vitamin C.
Mango(Mangifera indica).
The mango has a long and distinguished history. A native of India, it has been
cultivated for around 4,000 years and, according to Hindu mythology, it once
enclosed the daughter of the sun and Buddha was said to have reposed in a mango
grove. Akbar the Great (1556-1605), planted an orchard of 100,000 mangoes near
Darbhanga in northern India, assuring and confirming the value of this already
important fruit to the country's culture and theology.
Travellers to the subcontinent, however, displayed mixed reactions to this unique and
exotic fruit. Dr John Fryer, who visited India with the East India Company during the
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1670's claimed, "When ripe, the Apples of the Hesperides are but Fables to them, for
taste, the Nectarine, Peach and Apricot fall short." But, speaking very plainly for the
other side, Fanny Parkes remarks in her Wanderings of a Pilgrim in Search of the
Picturesque (1832), “I was disgusted with them, all those to be had at the time being
stringy, with a strong taste of turpentine.”
The Sanskrit name for the mango was amra from which the Chinese derived their anmo-lo. Its English name is from manga, used by the Portuguese who occupied Goa,
which, in turn was a corruption of the original Tamil, mankay.
A member of the ever green Anarcardiaceae family, which includes the cashew,
pistachio, American poison Ivy and the pepper tree, there are currently 41 varieties of
mango grown world-wide. The fruit is oval or kidney-shaped, with a smooth skin,
which varies in colour from green through yellow to orange and red, sometimes
displaying a pretty crimson blush, although this is no indication as to the ripeness of
the fruit. The flesh is yellow or orange and contains a large, flat stone, and the fruit
can vary in weight between 255g (1/21b) to lkg (21b).
It is notoriously difficult to eat, as the skin is impossible to remove if taken in the
wrong direction. The almost universal answer to this problem seems to be to slice the
fruit in half lengthways, sliding past the stone, scoring the flesh at diagonals, then
turning each half inside out to form a ‘hedgehog’ of bite-sized cubes. Although true
aficionados just soften the mango between their hands, taking care not to split the
skin, then make a small hole in the top through which they suck out all the juice.
Another drawback to clean mango consumption is that the fruit is undoubtedly at its
best when ‘dribbly-juicy’, making it the ideal bath-time snack. This is also one of the
reasons we can’t get the best in this country, as it only ripens to such perfection on the
tree. Luckily, March marks the beginning of the season for the best Indian mangoes,
and the king of these, the Alphonso, and although you do have to search to find them
in the shops here, you can get them - at a price!
India produces an amazing 10 million tonnes of mangoes every year, although,
because of the massive domestic demand for the fruit, it only exports about a quarter
of these.
Medicinal : Chinese medicine, which regards the diet as a way of balancing health,
uses mango to relieve indigestion, ease the symptoms of asthma and to soothe
bleeding gums. They advise against eating the fruit after a heavy meal, though, as it
tends to swell the stomach and also warn against mixing mango with onion and garlic,
as it may cause skin itching.
For fibre and vitamins, the mango is hard to beat. Packed with beta-carotene, the
vegetable form of vitamin A - over 1½ times the RDA, a full day's supply of vitamin
C for a non-smoking adult, a good amount of potassium and an average-sized fruit
supplies 7g of dietary fibre. Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant, which may
protect against certain types of cancer and atherosclerosis, which can lead to heart
attack and stroke, as does vitamin C, which also helps the body to stave off infection.
The dietary fibre is known to maintain bowel regularity, protecting against colon and
rectal cancers. However, there is always a viper in paradise: an average mango
contains 14% sugar, which, when consumed regularly, is not only bad news for the
diet, but for that shiny white smile, too. Amchur, the vitamin C-rich powdered form,
is sun-dried mango, ground for use in cooking to add sourness.
Ayurveda recommends this easily-digested food-stuff for the elderly, the weak and
infirm and for excess of Vata (wind). It is described as soothing colitis and improving
the complexion. Another recommended remedy is to grind the roasted stone to make a
cure for diarrhoea. Also, ladies beware!
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In India, it is said that you can tell that a woman is expecting a baby when she starts
craving raw mango!
Marination(Not just a matter of good taste)
Marination is a good idea for many reasons - but only under the right conditions.
Many advocate it as vital to real taste and others disagree or cannot really be bothered,
but few really understand the science behind their reasoning. It acts as a form of predigestion: protein-digesting enzymes from plants, such as papaya, fig and pineapple
break down muscle and connective tissue in meat and acids, such as vitamin C (lemon
juice/orange juice) and vinegars emulate the natural action of lactic acid naturally
produced by a living body to break down the proteins for use.
Marination can also be attractive by introducing colour and flavour to the areas in
which it comes into contact and in those layers near the surface of the tissue.
It is also a useful combatant of harmful bacteria and moulds, its usually acid nature
inhibiting their growth, and when an antibacterial spice, such as turmeric, is used in
the marinade, this is reinforced.
With a piece of chicken accumulating anything up to 10,000 bacteria per square
centimetre by the time it reaches the supermarkets - even under strictly controlled
conditions - this is very comforting.
Studies carried out at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California,
indicate that chicken marinated before grilling contains fewer carcinogens, the
substances that may produce cancer in living tissues. Dr Mark Knize and his team
marinated chicken breast in olive oil, brown sugar, cider vinegar, lemon juice, garlic,
salt and mustard. After cooking it for 20 minutes, they found that it had one-tenth the
usual level of heterocyclic amines or less.
Quite a powerful weapon in the cook's armoury, one might say. However, as with all
weapons, it is a two edged sword. Marination is a chemical reaction and needs the
physical contact of marinade and meat tissue. This takes place at the surface. The
centre of the meat is still subject to the natural forms of decomposition. Lactic acid
builds up and breaks down the protein, naturally tenderising the meat.
The fat tissue within the meat is no longer supplied with white blood cells and
antioxidants, so becomes infected and quickly rancid and those meats which are high
in unsaturated fats - fish, poultry, pork, lamb and veal are those which spoil the
quickest. This is why marination should be under refrigeration, and for a matter of
hours rather than days, to allow flavours to permeate - over-marination just leads to
mushy tissue surrounding microbe rich centres.
Scientists have found that the optimum temperature for tenderisers to work well is
between 60ºC - 79ºC and are deactivated at boiling point - (100ºC). So the main
tenderising action probably acts upon the muscle tissue in the early stages of the
actual cooking.
Whatever the pitfalls of modern marination, it is a vast improvement on the methods
used up until the end of the last century. Beef joints were hung in storage until the
outsides were literally rotten.
The French called this process mortification - but, at the stage of putrefaction they
preferred, whose death they were referring to is now lost in the mists of time.
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Meat
The actual word ‘meat’ didn’t actually come to be used to describe the flesh of
animals until around 1300, until which time it was generally accepted to mean any
type of solid food, as opposed to drink.
The whole subject of meat-eating has become quite an emotive one in recent years,
with a varied range of arguments being produced by those against. The more scientific
points out that evidence exists that proto-human, like the apes, ate a basic fruit diet;
that we only started to exhibit ominiverous feeding patterns after the emergence of
Homo Erectus. The religious moralists add the argument that, according to the Bible,
before Adam and Eve’s fall from Grace, they were given herbs, fruits and seeds as
foods, and that it was not until after the Great Flood that Man was given ‘everything
that liveth’ as meat, in recognition of his base nature.
For the opposite lobby, some nutritionists point out that animal proteins supply us
with similar and higher quality essential amino acids, needed to provide the proteins
required by the body. It also provides us with iron, Vitamin A and some of the
Vitamin B group.
Strong evidence does exist that early Man was a hunter-gatherer and primitive hunting
tools have been found which date back some 15 million years, although the weapons
capable of dealing with the larger game didn’t appear until around 1 million years
ago, and it is generally accepted that our ancestors were largely opportunistic meateaters.
The change came in the Neolithic period when agriculture was born. Strains of the
grain families and some legumes began to be cultivated, attracting animals like sheep
and goats. Such ruminants are timid and easily controlled, can digest the cellulose
from discarded stalks, posing little competition for the food needs of the early
settlements, with the added bonus of providing milk and wool and hides in payment.
The earliest evidence of domestic sheep have been found at sites in Iraq, dated at
around 9,000BC, and evidence of goat-keeping has been found at Jericho and dated at
7,000BC.
Dogs and pigs, attracted by the inevitable waste matter from such communities, would
have followed, and would have had to be brought under control to prevent danger to
the settlement. Canine remains have been found in Iran which date back to 9,500Bc,
and it is thought that they were probably bred as much for a convenient source of food
as a hunting aid. Dog was still a meat animal during the Classical period, enjoyed by
both the Greeks and Romans and Hippocrates, the ‘Father of Modern Medicine’
remarked that he found the meat light and nourishing - as do some Far-Eastern
societies, even today.
The Romans also ‘battery’ bred dormice, which they enjoyed enormously, to ensure a
constant supply and Apicius, the only cookbook to survive from the period, includes a
recipes for the rodent, cooked with pork meat, pepper, pine kernels, asafoetida and
liquamen.
South America seemed to have a limited supply of animal protein; the llama having
been used almost exclusively for transport and the alpacca for wool, their principal
food animal would seem to have been the guinea pig.
Ancient texts mention a great many exotic roast meats, usually at grand banquets, and
always to underline the great wealth or importance of the dignitaries being described.
Such delicacies would have been the preserve of the privileged few, the masses
existing on a basic diet of grain breads, porridges and gruels.
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Animal
Approximate Dates for Animal
Domestication
B.C
Region
Sheep
round 9,000
Middle East
Dog
8,400
Eurasia, North America
Goat
7,500
Middle East
Pig
7,000
Middle East
Cattle
6,500
Middle East
Guinea Pig
6,000
South America
Horse
3,000
Northeastern Europe
Chicken
2,000
India
Most historians agree that the human diet from 1400 to 1800 was essentially a
vegetarian one throughout most of the world for purely economic reasons: crops can
feed up to 20 times the number of population than can be suppported by the animals
grazing on the same acreage. The main exception to this rule was in Europe, where a
great deal of meat was eaten during the Middle Ages. It is thought that the relatively
low population density, together with the availability of a vast amount of high-quality
pasturage, may have gone a long way to accounting for this.
However, the population growth from around the 17th century onwards put meat
consumption back with the upper classes and during the 17th and 18th centuries, the
average European was down to an average of around 10% of their calorie intake
coming from meats, much of this salted, as they became more expensive.
North Americans, coming largely from this European stock, shared this meat passion
and the abundance of natural game stocks in the New World did nothing to impede
the growth in its consumption. And grow it did. The per capita average annual meat
consumption of Americans during the decade 1830-1840 was 178lb (80.6kg), with
salt pork becoming the staple for the masses instead of grain products. The phrase
‘scraping the bottom of the barrel’ was coined during this time, referring to the barrels
in which the pork was stored.
The late 20th century saw a dramatic fall in the consumption of red meat, whilst
poultry use has boomed, bolstered by high yielding factory methods which has
brought down the cost of raising chickens in large numbers. Economically, however,
it still remains a luxury foodstuff. Even today, it takes 900g (2lb) of grain to produce
450g (1lb) of chicken meat, with ratios of 4 to 1 for pork and 8 to 1 for beef. Small
wonder, then, that those in the business of mass meat production have, at times,
resorted to sometimes scandalous methods of improving the balance sheets.
Although medical evidence points strongly in the direction that some meat product
consumption is necessary for a healthy, balanced diet, recent research suggests that
the average westerner still eats around twice the amount of protein they need for
healthy maintenance, most of this coming from red meats, dairy products and eggs.
Meat does benefit from ‘ageing’. Historically, meat, especially that from game
animals, has been seen to improve in flavour and tenderness after a period of
‘hanging’ or storage after slaughter. It is thought that this is due to a process within
the meat tissue whereby the lactic acid, which accumulates in the tissue after death,
begins to break down the walls of the cells within the meat which store proteinattacking enzymes. Flavour changes caused by this process are thought to be caused
by the resultant degredation of the meat’s proteins into their basic amino acids, which
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usually have a strong flavour. By means of a similar process, the muscle filaments
also start to disintegrate, causing the meat to become more tender. The process is, of
course, also known as decomposition, and earlier fashions, especially in early French
cuisine, would sometimes see things taken as far as actual putrefaction before the
meat was used.
Meat has even been used in country medicine: chicken fat was rubbed onto burns and
scalds and freshly killed, warm chicken flesh was used as a styptic to staunch heavy
bleeding. And, of course, who hasn’t heard of using a fresh beefsteak to ease a black
eye - although I would far rather see it grilled lightly with olive oil and roast garlic,
served with a crisp, mixed salad!
Melon(Cucumis melo)
Melons are a branch of the squash family and are thought to have originated in
southern Africa. The greater family group includes cucumber, musk melon, casaba,
winter melon, marrows, pumpkins and gourds. Taken into India in prehistoric times,
the melon became a valuable and popular fruit, finding its way into Egypt by about
4,000BC.
Proper cultivation was instituted by the Arabs in the 12th century. Melons were
introduced into the Court of Charles VIII of France from Italy and didn’t reach
England until the 16th century, when they were grown under glass quite successfully.
The French writer, Alexander Dumas, author of the Three Musketeers, was so fond of
the melons from Cavaillon that he swapped a complete set of his works for a
lifetime’s supply of them.
There are five main groups:
Water melon - Citrullus vulgaris. Native of Africa and from a different species to
other melons.
Water melons contain lycopenes, also found in tomatoes, red grapefruit and apricots,
powerful antioxidants which protect against cell damage.
Melon - Cucumis melo. A variety of shapes and colours with sweet flesh, which
include such varieties as Honeydew, Ogen (named for the kibbutz in Israel where it
was first grown), Charentais and Cavaillon.
Cantaloupe - Cucuma melo var. cantalupensis. Raised in the Papal villa of Cantaluppi
near Rome in the fifteenth century, with a warty skin and fragrant orange flesh.
Musk or Netted Melon - Cucuma melo var. reticulatus. Round hothouse melons with
a raised network pattern on the skin and aromatic flesh.
Cooking Melons - Used in the same way as vegetable gourds in Asian and Oriental
cooking these include the Indian Kakri, and Chekiang melon, used throughout
Southeast Asia.
Medical : The most useful melon, nutritionally, is generally agreed to be the
cantaloupe. Its deep orange flesh is packed with beta-carotene, the vegetable precursor of vitamin A, with just half a melon providing more than the recommended
daily intake for the average adult. It is a potent anti-oxidant that protects against
cancer and the formation of the free radicals that cause cataracts. It is also believed
that it helps to protect against infection, that it fights ‘bad’, or LDL cholesterol, and,
that by preventing cell damage, it may be a useful weapon in the battle against the
ageing process.
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It is also high in vitamin C, the same half-melon providing more than double the
recommended daily intake for an adult non-smoker. It is also a good source of
potassium, which helps to regulate body water balance and normalise heart function,
guarding against high blood pressure and irregular heart action. It is also a good
source of fibre which helps to regulate bowel action and may help to guard against
colon and rectal cancers.
The lighter green and pale yellow flesh melons contain little beta-carotene and less
vitamin C, but they are low in calories and their high water content may help the
kidneys to work more effectively, flushing the system.
Mint(Mentha piperita (peppermint), Mentha spicata (spearmint))
Minthe, who gave her name to this genus of plants, was a nymph who was pursued by
Pluto, Greek god of the Underworld. In a fit of rage his wife, Persephone, turned
Minthe into a plant, to be trodden underfoot. As a tribute to the nymph, Greek virgins
would wear sprigs of mint in their hair on feast days.
Peppermint was used by the ancient Egyptians and the Romans used it for its aesthetic
and culinary properties. Pliny wrote about mint in his Natural History (AD77), “As
touching garden mint, as the very smell of it alone recovereth and refresheth the
spirits; so the taste stirreth up the appetite to meat, which is the cause, that it is so
ordinarie in our sharpe (vinegared) sauces wherein we use to dip our meats.” In fact,
he found the smell of mint so exhilarating that he recommended a wreath of mint for
students, to sharpen the mind. He also extolled its virtues in drying up “the humours
that mollifie the grisly windpipe.” and recommended the use of mint juice before any
strenuous use of the voice.
In folk legend and country magic, mint was associated with Venus and Mars and was
used to invoke protection during travel and exorcism and to attract money, love and
healing. One country superstition was to place a few leaves of mint with the family
savings in order to make it grow.
Peppermint was also used to aid sleep, in purification and to strengthen psychic
powers - placing mint on an altar would draw good influences upon rituals and a
sprig, placed beneath a pillow, would enable you to see the future in your dreams.
Ayurveda lists peppermint as a pungent taste, strengthening Vata (nervous system)
and Pitta (biochemical body processes), reducing Kapha (body fluid balance). A
digestive, cleansing and stimulating.
Although not used formally in medicine until around the mid-18th century,
peppermint, usually in the form of a tea, has been one of the favourite homecures for
indigestion since Biblical times, and its anti-spasmodic quality has led to its use to
combat menstrual cramps and stomach upsets.
Herbalists recommend using it internally for digestion, colds, flu and stomach cramps
and externally, as a stimulating rub for aching muscles, in footbaths for tired feet and
as an inhaler for catarrh and nasal congestion. Although, always with the rider that
pregnant women should avoid using the essential oil.
It has also been used as a form of local anaesthetic: the action of the essential oil,
menthol, raises the threshold temperature at which the cold receptors in the skin begin
to discharge. However, because of the same reaction, like mustard, it can also be a
skin irritant.
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Spearmint, its specific name referring to the spear-like shape of its leaves, became a
firm favourite in kitchen gardens after its introduction by the Romans. A milder
flavour than peppermint and similar, if slightly weaker, medicinal properties.
100g fresh mint provides 39.60 kcalories, 4.70g carbohydrate, 11mg sodium, 3.40g
protein, 2425iu of vitamin A, 124.40mg vitamin C and 3.5mg iron.
Mustard(Brassica nigra, (black); Brassica alba, (white); Brassica juncea,
(brown).)
All the varieties are members of the brassica family, which includes the radish,
horseradish and the cabbage family and it is believed that this branch may have
originated in the Mediterranean area where it can be found growing as a weed on
untended ground.
The generic name, used by the Romans, is very similar to Bresic, the Celtic word for
horse and some etymologists believe that this, and the fact that a lot of the brassicas
were used as stock forage, may have been the root. The common name is said by
some to be derived from the Latin, mustum ardens, which means ‘fiery must’, after
the French practice of mixing ground mustard seeds with must (fermenting grape
juice). Others, that it is simply a contraction of the Old French moult ardre, ‘much
burning’.But, however it arrived at its name, mustard and Man have been together for
a long time - evidence has been found that prehistoric man chewed the seeds along
with his meat and Hippocrates, the father of medicine recommended it for cleansing
the system.
The ancient Romans believed in mustard as a cure-all: Pliny documented its use in
smelling salts; as a curative for toothache; and it was regularly used in poultices for
inflamed joints. The Roman army planted it wherever they went, including Britain. In
America, the Mohicans treated headaches and toothaches with black mustard seeds
and it has long been universally used as a chest rub to help persistent coughs.
A hot mustard bath is an age old domestic remedy for colds, poor circulation and tired
feet. Scientists explain that, by irritating the skin, mustard oils draw large amounts of
blood to the surface capillaries, relieving inflammation in the surrounding tissue. It is
the same effect in the mouth which makes the mustard act as an appetite stimulant
Hence, mustard used in this way should come with the warning that those with
sensitive skins may experience blistering.
Mustard has always been an important spice in Europe, as it was easily grown locally
and hence cheaper than its more exotic rivals. Since 1634, Dijon, in France has been
the eponyrnous global capital of mustard making, with over half of all ready-made
mustard being manufactured there, usually from a mix of brown and black seeds.
England's modern centre, Norwich, only joined the club in the 19th century, when
Jeremiah Colman switched from grinding flour to mustard seeds. In 1903 he acquired
the London mustard-makers, Keen, the company which supplied the city's chop and
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ale houses, and whose name inspired the phrase ‘As keen as mustard’. Before that,
Tewkesbury had always been at the heart of British mustard making and the town had
become quite famous for their strong mustard and horseradish compound. It was in
Tewkesbury, in 1720, that a Mrs Clement first mastered the art of drying and grinding
the seeds to produce a powder, as opposed to a paste. This new process meant that the
powder could be kept longer without losing potency and that the mustard made from
it would be unsurpassed in strength.
Ayurveda and Unani Tibb both use black mustard seeds (Brassica nigra) as a remedy
for abcesses and itchy skin. Hot mustard plasters are also used to treat chest pains,
coughs, bronchial catarrh and shortness of breath. The warming effect this produces is
also used for rheumatic pain and lumbago.
Taken internally, it is used to balance Vata and Kapha disorders and expels worms.
Tibb also recommends mustard for the treatment of of dyspepsia, constipation,
delirium tremens, dropsy, hiccups and narcotic poisoning.
Hindus regard the plant as a symbol of fertility, as it grows easily, and its flowering is
often seen as the first sign of spring. However, the small black, most pungent seeds
are being replaced gradually with the slightly larger brown, which are more easily
harvested by mechanical methods.
These brown seeds are those from which Pak choi, Chinese mustard greens, are
grown.The sweeter, milder, white mustard seeds of the native European plant are
actually pale yellow or very light brown and are the variety which produces the
ubiquitous mustard-and-cress shoots used in English cafeteria salads.
Medical : The mustard greens, such as Chinese cabbage, from the Brassica juncea
branch of the family, are all rich in beta-carotene, high in vitamin C, a very rich
source of potassium and one average portion contains roughly the same amount of
calcium as half a cup of milk. The dark green leaves contain substances;
phytochemicals called indoles which help to cleanse the body and protect against
oestrogen build-up. They are powerful antioxidants which have been shown to slow
cancer growth in animal tests and enhance immune functions.
Nutmeg & Mace(Myristica fragrans, - Jaiphal, Javriti)
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The generic name for the plant that bears the two spices is derived from the Greek for
fragrant, myristicós, from the same root as the word for Myrrh, with whose scent is
has often been compared. The common name, nutmeg probably refers to the fact that
it is found within a fruit and is similar in size and appearance to a nut.
Mace, its partner, is actually the aril which surrounds the nutmeg; a clinging, lacy,
dark red overcoat, which fades to a lighter orange when dried. The pale yellow fruit
which bears both used to be discarded on harvest, but now has started to be used in
jams, jellies and syrups, especially in Grenada, where they produce a round a third of
the world’s crop of nutmeg.
These twin spices enjoyed a certain mysticism for several centuries, their origin being
unknown even to the Arab traders who brought them to the West. As with most plant
products, medicinal uses were discovered quite quickly, the first being recorded from
around the 6th century. By the 12th century, nutmegs had found their way onto the
spice trains into Europe and were used in the mixture of spices and herbs which were
strewn in the streets at the coronation of Emperor Henry VI of Germany in 1191. As
spices, and especially nutmeg, were extremely expensive, this would have served the
joint purposes of impressing upon the masses an ostentatious show of wealth whilst
protecting the royal personage against diseases. In 17th century Venice, plague
doctors wore sinister beak-shaped masks stuffed with similar combinations to protect
them as they moved around the city.
By the beginning of the 14th century, the Arabs had tracked down the source; the
Indonesian Moluccan Islands. However, this did not serve to bring down the cost
appreciably as English documents from the period rate 1lb nutmegs as being
equivalent to 3 sheep, and the spice was not widely available until the Portuguese
opened the first direct sea route at the start of the 16th century. So began the
monopoly of nutmegs, along with cloves, by first the Portuguese, then the Dutch. The
Dutch were much more serious about their stranglehold. Intent on keeping the only
source to themselves, all spices leaving the islands were sterilised to ensure that they
could not be propagated elsewhere. This was not enough, however, and to ensure that
prices were kept up to a satisfactory level, all the inhabitants of one island were
massacred and three quarters of all clove and nutmeg trees were destroyed in order to
limit production. Finally, because mace was a more highly prized spice than nutmeg
and available in a much smaller quantity, the misguided Dutch inadvertently added
yet another factor in keeping its price high by ordering a massive reduction in the
number of nutmeg trees, destroying them in order to make way for a plantation of
mace trees!
When the British wrested the Spice Islands from the Dutch in 1796, all such silliness
stopped and cultivation spread to Penang, Singapore and, finally the West Indies,
bringing down prices and increasing availability, enabling nutmeg to be used in
almost every sweet dish of the period, whilst mace became a firm favourite in potted
meats, fish dishes and farces (stuffings).
All expensive spices found their way into ‘magic’ potions and nutmeg is no
exception. It was used in incense preparations to enliven, sharpen the mind and to
increase psychic abilities.
Medicinal : Medicine, too, has valued the spice since the 6th century, and it is
mentioned in the vedic texts as a cure for headaches, fever, intestinal upsets and
halitosis (bad breath). Until the 19th century nutmeg was thought to be effective
against every known ailment and was linked with menstrual flow control and bringing
about spontaneous abortions. It is known to be a good soporific and has been used in
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night-caps, however, its main active ingredient, the phenol myristcin, is also an
hallucinogen, also found in minute quantities in black pepper, carrot, parsley and
celery seeds, which can cause degeneration of the liver, so it is most definitely not to
be overdone! The amount found in quantities of nutmeg, however, is significant
enough to have led to its use at one time as a recreational drug among the poor and
prison inmates. Malcom X was reputed to have used it whilst in Boston Jail and
Charlie Parker, the jazz saxophonist is said to have eaten it.
In fact, most people in this country benefit from the powers of nutmeg oil every
winter as, apparently, it is one of the main ingredients in Vick Vaporub. Mace, too has
its use, albeit a more cosmetic one, and is used in the production of aftershaves,
perfumes and shampoo.
Its terms of culinary importance, nutmeg and mace are probably high on the list, being
used in possibly the widest spread of preparations: egg and cheese dishes; spinach and
green vegetables, having a magical ability to dispel that ‘rotting veg’ smell; cakes and
puddings; sausages and even haggis. Mace, bearing the stronger flavour of the two is
also exceptionally good in fish dishes, potatoes and appear in many chutney recipes.
Nutritionally, 1 teaspoon of nutmeg, ground equals roughly 2g, giving an energy
output of 12 calories. It contains carbohydrates, protein and slight amounts of
vitamins A, B1, B2, niacin, sodium, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, iron,
magnesium, selenium, zinc and no cholesterol. The same amount of Mace, ground
weighs 1.7g, 8 calories and contains carbohydrate, protein, is rich in vitamin A, B1,
B2, niacin, sodium, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium,
zinc and, again has no cholesterol.
Okra(Hibiscus esculentus - Bhindi, Gumbo, Ladies’ fingers)
A tropical annual plant which is a member of the mallow family and whose fruits, or
pods, are eaten as a vegetable. The fruit pods are slender and tapering and have earned
them the common name ‘ladies’ fingers’. It is thought that the plant originated in
Africa, probably Ethiopia, and managed to spread to Arabia, the eastern
Mediterranean countries and India, but as it failed to gain popularity in Europe in the
Greco-Roman period, its progress beyond these regions was relatively slow. It was
taken to America by the Portuguese and Dutch slave traders, where its Angolan name,
ki ngombo, already changed by the Portuguese to quingombo, was shortened to
gombo or gumbo. Its journey eastwards took even longer, arriving in China as late as
the 19th century.
The Cajun style of cooking relies on okra for the mucilaginous quality of the pods, its
gooey sap being used to thicken the famous gumbo stew. In Eastern cooking, too, this
quality is often called for in recipes as a thickener. One Indian method of preparation,
however, which involves slicing the pods very finely, deep frying and spicing with
amchur, bypasses this effect entirely, and transforms what can be an over-gooey
vegetable for some, into a crisp and tasty alternative.
Medicinal : Nutritionally, okra is high in fibre, one of the best vegetable sources,
which may help to reduce high cholesterol levels and counter the risk of colon and
rectal cancer. It is also a reasonable source of vitamin C and beta-carotene, both
antioxidants which help prevent the furring of the arteries which lead to heart attack
and stroke. As far as minerals are concerned, okra is a good source of potassium
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which works with sodium to regulate body water balance and normalises heart
rhythm. Low potassium intake has been associated with high blood pressure and heart
arrhythmia.
100g fresh okra = 39 kcalories.
Olive(Olea europeae)
The olive tree is one of the oldest cultivated by Man, and archaeological evidence
would seem to indicate that it could have begun in Egypt and Ethiopia around 5,000
years ago (or even earlier according to the Isis legend), spreading quite quickly to
North Africa, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Greece, Cyprus and Arabia. Crete, whose
modern-day population consumes more olive oil per capita than anywhere else in the
world, shows evidence of cultivation as far back as 2,500 BC. However, wild olives
from oleasters were gathered by the Neolithic population some 10,000 years ago.
However difficult it may be to date the first cultivation, it most certainly would have
been after the establishment of the first permanent settlements as, although the olive is
a successful crop for otherwise difficult terrain, it does require time and patience to
grow and, more importantly, process, the olive and its oil for use and consumption.
The olive became a mainstay in the life of the ancients. Its oil was used to fuel their
lamps, to protect their skin, and both the oil and fruit were a central part of their diet.
Little wonder then, that it makes an appearance in every ancient sacred text from the
region in symbolism always heavily weighted towards that which is fruitful,
promising and positive.
In Greek mythology, the olive was a present from the goddess Athena. The legend
goes that Athena, goddess of wisdom, and Poseidon, God of the sea, argued over the
patronage of a settlement called Kekrops on a rocky outcrop in south-eastern Greece.
Zeus, tiring of the dispute between the two gods, decreed that allegiance should be
granted to whichever of them could bestow a gift that would benefit the inhabitants
there the most. Poseidon struck a rock with his trident, producing a salt water spring
to demonstrate his power. Athena caused the olive tree to grow from the barren
ground. The gods decided in favour of the goddess, the city was renamed Athens and
the olive became a symbol of wisdom, peace and fruitfulness in her honour.
The olive was a central influence in Greek society: several of the major gods in the
Greek pantheon were depicted holding olive branches or leaves; young brides carried
or wore olive leaves to ensure a fruitful marriage; lekythoi, vases of perfumed olive
oil were either broken over graves or placed in tombs at funeral rites, a custom which
is still followed at some Greek funerals today. Herodicus (5th century BC), who
taught Hippocrates, advocated the use of olive oil as a muscular massage for the
athletes who competed in the original Olympic Games. Olive leaves were also used to
make wreaths for the victors. The trees used for this were grown at the western end of
the Temple of Zeus and were ceremonially cut by a beautiful youth wielding a golden
sickle.
The Romans loved the olive, it was mentioned by Homer and Pompeii, buried in
detail-preserving volcanic ash by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD79, has revealed that
the oil was in use in every aspect of Roman life, used in sacred lamps and for medical
cosmetic and culinary purposes. It would be used as a cleanser and skin conditioner
and every citizen, when visiting the public baths, would be accompanied by a slave
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carrying his scented oil. This would be rubbed into the skin after bathing and scarped
off with a strigil, a curved blade of wood.
The Ancient Egyptians, too, prized both the olive and the oil. Records from the time
of Ptolemy II mention 27 varieties by his time and wall engravings in the Temple of
Karnak record how the Pharaoh’s men were anointed with olive oil on feast days.
Many superstitions have grown up around the olive. In Italy, it was believed that
hanging an olive branch above the door of a house would keep away evil spirits and
the Venetians believed that an olive branch attached to a chimney would stave off
lightning strikes. By the Middle Ages the olive was so vital to the Italians that cutting
down a community’s or family’s olive trees was seen as a more severe punishment
than death.
Spanish tradition holds the olive at the centre of happy family life. One belief was that
hanging an olive branch in the home would ensure a woman’s authority in her house
and that eating olives would ensure a husband’s fidelity. This was furthered shored up
in some areas with the belief that a poor olive crop would result if a man was
unfaithful to his wife.
The olive tree is very long lived; it is said that a tree can live up to 1,000-1,500 years
still bearing fruit. This has led to the tree being associated with healing and longevity
and in Algeria there is one particularly ancient tree which supplicants visit in order to
cure whatever ails them.
Olive oil virtually flows throughout the pages of The Bible: ‘pure beaten oil of the
olive’ was used to light the lamp in the Tabernacle; olive was traded by Solomon;
perfumed, it anointed prophets and kings. It was the oil used on the leather shields of
the Biblical period and ‘oiling one’s shield’ became a euphemism for declaring war.
In spite of the latter, the olive branch was used to symbolise peace and Noah’s dove
returned with an olive leaf to the Ark - a sign that the waters were receding - safety.
The New Testament records that Jesus retired to the Mount of Olives before his
Crucifixion. The area gained its name for the many olive trees that thrived there;
perhaps the choice of the Garden of Gethsemane for his contemplation was linked to
the olive’s ancient links with wisdom and peace. Interestingly, the name Gethsemane
is derived from the Hebrew Gatshamanim, which mean oil press.
Because of its long history of symbolism, olive oil has been a favoured oil for ritual
and sacred anointing since the very earliest times. The modern Anglican church, for
instance, still employ three oils, all using olive as a base: the oil of catechumens, used
for baptism, which is basic olive oil; the oil of confirmation and ordination, the Sacred
Chrism, a mixture of oil and floral essence; and the oil to anoint the sick, again the
same kind of basic olive oil which is used in the kitchen. The oils are blessed on
Maundy Thursday by the bishops and distributed amongst the clergy for use during
the year.
Olives are still gathered in much the same way as they were in ancient times; vase
paintings from around 520BC show men knocking the ripe fruit onto sheets laid onto
the ground. The olives, too, are probably pretty much the same fruit as back in
antiquity. Olive trees are clones, one of Man’s earliest attempts at genetic engineering.
The trees are propagated by cutting off and rooting the small knobs which develop on
their trunks, producing genetically identical offspring for replanting, so olives from
the very oldest trees are very likely to be almost identical in size and taste as those
eaten by the ancients.
As with most other foods, olive oil established its place firmly in Man’s medicine
chest. Even today, many people still swear by a spoonful to relieve constipation and,
until its resurgence in popularity in more recent years, the only available source for
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the oil in many provincial towns was the high street chemist. Warmed olive oil was
traditionally used to ease earache and soften hardened earwax and was also used as a
massage oil to ease arthritis and rheumatism. Just some of the other ailments which
have been treated with olive oil throughout the ages are diabetes, gout, skin infections
gall stones, burns, scalds, baldness, smallpox, pleurisy, coughs, yellow fever and even
the plague.
Cosmetically, olive oil has been used to protect and smooth the skin, especially during
and after exposure to the sun and, apparently, Marilyn Monroe, despite having access
to some of the most expensive preparations Hollywood fame could provide used in
preference to anything else on offer.
The oil was also used in agriculture. It was smothered onto fruit trees to deter pests, to
protect from the drying effects of the sun and to insulate against winter frosts. In the
preparation of textiles, olive oil was used to lubricate both the fingers of the weavers
and the fibre being prepared for weaving.
In modern times, olive oil is one of the ‘wonder foods’ which have enjoyed a wideeyed rediscovery. Scientists, puzzled at the longevity and good health records enjoyed
by the Mediterranean peoples, in spite of their heavy smoking habits and high
cholesterol intake, investigated the diet of the area further. They found that, whilst the
overall fats intake is no less than anywhere in the developed world, in the
Mediterranean countries most of that fat is in the form of monounsaturated fats and, in
particular, olive oil. Studies that followed this realisation found that olive oil has a
positive effect on blood cholesterol levels, increasing the level of HDL or ‘good’
cholesterol which has been associated with lower rates of heart disease. This, though,
is just one piece of the overall picture as far as the ’Mediterranean Diet’ is concerned.
It is thought that the main benefits are enjoyed when taken together with the other
good factors in the diet, such as fibre, fish oils and complex carbohydrates.
The tomato, adopted so enthusiastically by the people of the region is another
important piece too. It contains the powerful antioxidant lycopene, the benefits of
which researchers at Ben Gurion University in Israel have found to be enhanced when
taken, and especially cooked, in combination with olive oil.
Olives contain between 4-6 kcalories each and are a good source of vitamin E,
although rarely eaten in quantities in a large enough amount to significantly affect a
dietary intake of the vitamin.
Onion(Allium cepa)
Kalonji (Onion seeds)
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A Turkish legend says that when the Devil was cast out from Paradise and first set
foot upon the Earth, on the spot where he placed his right foot grew the onion and, on
that touched by his left, garlic.
In fact the onion has become so basic a commodity world-wide that nowadays it is not
known to have a wild form, making the task of tracing its lineage and origin back to a
starting point virtually impossible, although the presence of a wild and distant relative
in Central Asia lead some to believe that this may have been the starting point for
Allium cepa too. There are over 500 members of the allium family, including: Allium
ascalonicum, the shallot, which has become a virtual cornerstone of ‘Modern British’
and French ‘Haute Cuisine’.
The ancient Greeks were familiar with the shallot, or askolonion as they knew it,
which, according to Pliny (1st century AD), was so named because it came from
Ashkelon in what is now southern Israel. It is from this original Greek word that most
of the other names for modern onions are derived, such as ‘scallion’ which has
survived, particularly in the United States, as an alternate name for the spring onion. It
is different from A. cepa, being an aggregate onion, growing in a cluster formation
which spreads the shallot by a process of division.
Other onions that do this are the ‘Japanese’ onion and the potato onion.
Allium porrum, the leek, whose common name is derived from the Saxon leac which
they assigned to all the members of the family, such as gar-leac and brade-leac. It is
one of the national emblems of Wales, and, although the real reason for this may have
been lost in the mists of time, a romantic explanation for this is that it was worn as an
identifying bonnet badge by victorious Welsh warriors in a memorable battle against
the Saxons in the 7th century. Whether or not this is true, the Celt and Gallic races
have developed a true affinity with the leek, producing many classic dishes featuring
them, such as Welsh mutton cawl, Cock-a-leekie, Potage Parmentier and ‘Poor Man’s
Asparagus’, where immature leeks are served cold and dressed with vinaigrette,
parsley and chopped, hard-boiled egg. The leek was popular with the ancients. Leeks
are featured in Egyptian tomb paintings and, according to Herodotus, were fed, along
with garlic and radishes to the slave force employed to build the Great Pyramid.
Greek and Roman texts, such as the cookery book written by Apicius, featured it as a
vegetable in its own right. The Roman emperor, Nero was said to have been very fond
of leeks, maintaining that they improved the quality of his singing voice, of which he
was already inordinately proud. He is said to have eaten so many that his people gave
him the nickname Porrophagus, leek-eater.
Allium fistulosium, the Oriental onion or Welsh onion is another cluster onion which
resembles a large ridged spring onion. Despite its English common name, it does not
actually come from Wales but from China. ‘Welsh’ was a prefix which meant ‘foreign
in Old English and is also the origin of the ‘Wal’ in walnut, or ‘foreign’ nut.
According to Pliny both the onion and garlic were deified in Ancient Egypt, a point
repeated by Mrs Beeton in her famous Book of Household Management and Juvenal
said that Egypt was a country where onions were adored and leeks were gods. There
does seem to be evidence that the Egyptians swore oaths by both and archaeologists
have found funerary offerings in Egyptian tombs. The onion was an important part of
the staple diet of Mesopotamia, eaten with bread by the masses. Accounts from the
3rd Dynasty of Ur (early 2nd millennium BC) list bread and onions as a daily ration
and in a chronicle from 2,100BC, Ur-Nammu of Ur recorded that he saved his garden
of leeks and onions by building a temple to Nannar.
Onions were also listed as being grown in the Gardens of King Badalan II of Babylon
(8th century BC).
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In Ancient Greece and Rome the onion was not as highly regarded as its cousin the
leek as they were regarded as ‘poor man’s’ food, although Theophrastus (372-287BC)
mentions several varieties of onion and garlic, indicating enough demand for them to
be in daily use in the Greece of his time. He also mentions that when pounded the
allia makes a foamy dressing - the forerunner to aioli, perhaps? Apicius used garlic
and onion very sparingly in his recipes, hardly surprising, as he tended to concentrate
mainly on the less ‘humble’ ingredients. Horace, too, reinforced the image of the
onion as being strictly for the lower classes, when he included it in his ‘economical
diet’.
Ayurveda, the ancient Indian art of dietetics and medicine doesn’t use the onion much
in treatment, although it does note that the onion is stimulating, diuretic and an
expectorant. Certain sects in India, such as Jains and Hindu Brahmins, are forbidden
to eat it, one of the reasons being that it is believed to ‘inflame the baser passions’.
Dr Andrew Boorde(1490?-1549), traveller, writer and disgraced cleric concurred with
this and noted in his book, A Dyetary of Helth, that ‘Onyons doth promote a man to
veneryous actes, and to sompnolence’. The good doctor’s advice in this region is not
to be dismissed lightly, as this unfrocked suffragan bishop Chichester was jailed for
keeping three whores in his rooms at Winchester.
Medicinal : The onion has been cultivated for over 6,000 years and as well as its
culinary uses, this bulb has been used by healers world-wide to cure almost every
ailment. It has been used against infections, as an effective diuretic, heart tonic,
contraceptive, aphrodisiac, expectorant, as a treatment for diabetes and as a
decongestant (one of my grandmother's favourite cold-cures was a boiled onion, tied
around the neck in an old sock!). Far from laughing these claims off, modern science
is looking at the onion very seriously. In 1989, a Chinese study found that people who
ate the highest amounts of allium vegetables in their diet, i.e..onions, shallots, leeks,
chives, garlic etc., had the lowest rate of stomach cancer. An independent study
carried out in the United States at around the same time would seem to reinforce this
theory.
The onion is rich in flavenoids, one of which, quercetin, is currently being studied for
its apparent ability to deactivate carcinogens and tumour promoters. Those onions that
are highest in these flavenoids are red and yellow onions and shallot.
A separate investigation by Eric Block PH.D. of the State University of New York,
uncovered a sulphur compound in onion that can actually prevent the biochemical
chain of events that lead to inflammatory reactions and asthma. Well done, Gran!
The ancient physicians used onion to treat diabetes and, once again, modern studies
have only served to proved them right, as recently it has been discovered that onion
does indeed play a part in reducing blood sugar levels. Cooked onions are good for
the cardiovascular system, taking just about 1 tablespoon to reverse the tendency for
the blood to clot after a fatty meal. It is now known to reduce high blood sugar levels
and to promote an increase in ‘good’ cholesterol levels in the blood. In fact, just half a
raw onion a day will boost it by 30%.
Pasteur in the mid nineteenth century, declared it anti-bacterial and its essences have
been proved to kill harmful bacteria, including E-coli and salmonella. One experiment
also found that chewing raw onion for 3-8 minutes made the lining of the mouth
sterile.
100g of raw onion equals 150kcalories, is 89% water, and contains 1.2g protein, 0.2g
fat, 7.9g carbohydrates, 1.4g fibre, 25mg calcium, 0.3mg iron, 3mg sodium, 2mg
vitamin A, 0.13mg Thiamin and 5mg vitamin C.
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Oregano(Origanum vulgare - Wild marjoram)
Often confused with sweet marjoram, but herbalists believe that oregano is better
medicinally. The generic name is said by some to be an amalgam of the two Greek
words, óros and gános, meaning ‘mountain brightness’ or ‘shining mountain’.
An eastern Mediterranean native, the plant has a long history of use in medicine and it
was used by the ancient Greeks in poultices for sores, aching muscles and rheumatic
pains in limb joints. The herb was taken to the New World by the early colonists
largely for the same medicinal uses. They also used it, infused, as a tea to treat
bronchitis and asthma and its digestive properties were employed in treating gastrointestinal disorders.
Oregano contains the antiseptic thymol and also has anti-flammatory, expectorant and
digestive properties, and modern herbalists still recommend it for all the above
properties, as well as for easing coughs, colds, flu and as an antiseptic mouthwash for
mouth and throat infections.
The dried herb is very popular in Italian cooking
100g fresh oregano contains 33 kcalories, 5.37g carbohydrate, 3.74g fibre, 1.20mg
sodium, 0.92g protein, 575 µg Vitamin A and 3.67mg iron.
VEGETABLES, FRUITS, AND SPICES USED
IN WESTERN EUROPE
Mediterranean Area Natives, Used B.C.
mushroom - onion - apple - basil - dill - beet - cabbage - pear - marjoram - parsley
radish - lettuce - cherry - oregano - fennel - turnip - artichoke - grape - mint - bay
carrot - cucumber - fig - rosemary - caper - parsnip - broad bean - date - sage
fenugreek - asparagus - pea - strawberry - savory - garlic - leek - olive - thyme
mustard - anise - poppy - caraway - sesame - coriander - saffron – cumin
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Asian Natives, Imported B.C
citron - cardamom - apricot - ginger - peach - cinnamon - turmeric - black pepper
Later Additions
spinach - celery - rhubarb - cauliflower - broccoli - Brussels sprouts
Imported Later
yam - lemon - clove - water chestnut - lime - mace/nutmeg - bamboo - orange –
tarragon - eggplant (aubergine) - melon
New World Natives, Imported 15th-16th Centuries
potato - kidney bean - pineapple - allspice - sweet potato - lima bean - red pepper
pumpkin - sweet pepper - vanilla - squashes - avocado – tomato
Palm(Elaeis guineensis)
A native of West Africa, the history of the use of this particularly rich source of edible
vegetable oil can be traced back over 5,000 years to the days of the Egyptian
Pharaohs.
It is a very productive plant and every part can be used in a wide variety of products,
earning it the title, ‘Gift from God’ in almost every country where it is grown. The
palm fronds and fibres are used in the manufacture of medium density fibreboards,
chipboard, paper, matting and mattress fibre, and of course the wood from the trunks
can be made into furniture. There is the obvious culinary use of the oil, as well as for
the manufacture of polymers, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, soaps and detergents, and
crude palm oil can even be used as a fuel to run cars fitted with modified (Elsbett)
engines.
The oil palm is a very productive crop. The plant produces fruit between 2½-3 years
after planting, bearing 10-12 fruit bunches annually, each weighing between 20-30kg
and carrying anywhere between 1,000-3,000 fruits. Each hectare of plantation can
yield up to 5 tonnes of oil each year - 5 to 10 times more than any other commercially
grown oil crop. In addition, each palm has a commercially viable life of up to 30
years.
Medicinal : The fruit is processed to produce two kinds of oil: palm oil from the
mesocarp, or flesh, and palm kernel oil from the seed or kernel. Freshly extracted
palm oil is the richest known natural source of beta carotene, or pro-vitamin A, and
also has a high content of both tocopherol and tocotrienol varieties of Vitamin E.
Palm vitamin E has been reported as acting as a potent biological antioxidant which
helps prevent the formation of cancers, cellular ageing and atherosclerosis. The
tocotrienols in particular have been shown to have blood cholesterol regulating
properties and are also currently being investigated for their action in inhibiting the
growth of Oestrogen responsive human breast cancer cells.
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Additional studies are also under way at the Center for Membrane Sciences,
University of Kentucky which have shown that vitamin E prevents the death of brain
cells which have been exposed to a toxic protein found in the brains of Alzheimer’s
sufferers.
It is a naturally stable oil, with a balanced composition of both unsaturated and
saturated fatty acids to complement the high vitamin E level. The unsaturates consist
mainly of the much-favoured monounsaturated oleic acid whilst the saturates
comprise 44% palmitic acid and 5% stearic acid. This composition gives the palm oil
a semi-solid consistency, which means that, for solid-fat products such as margarine
and vegetable ghee, (vanaspati), the oil does not have to go through the expensive
hydrogenation process which has come under fire recently after studies have shown
that the unnatural trans fatty acids formed during the process are detrimental to health.
Like other vegetable oils, such as coconut, palm oil is cholesterol-free and readily
digested and utilised as a source of energy.
Crude palm oil is the richest source of the carotenoids with concentrations of around
15 times more than that present in carrots and this is being capitalised upon by the
industry in the production of a red palm oil which retains its carotenoids, and which
has already been adopted as a natural dietary therapy in the fight against vitamin A
induced blindness.
Papaya(Carica papaya)
The papaya originated in the Americas, probably Brazil and was cultivated well
before the arrival of the Europeans. Papaya fruit is botanically a large berry from a
tropical, palm-like, herbaceous plant. It can be oblong or round, smooth or ridged, and
has pinky-orange flesh which surrounds a mass of shiny black seeds. The Spanish and
Portuguese took it to the West Indies and by 1538 it had arrived in the East Indies via
the Philippines. By 1800 it was being grown in nearly all the tropical regions of the
world, its original Carib Indian name ababai converted to papaya along the way.
The fruit is often confused with Asimina triloba, the pawpaw, which is the fruit of
another North American tree, also referred to as Custard apple.
Medicinal : The sweet, juicy, fruit tastes a little like aromatic melon and is extremely
nutritious. Like all orange coloured fruits and vegetables, papaya is a good source of
beta-carotene, providing one day’s recommended intake, and 5 times that provided by
an orange. Beta-carotene, the vegetable form of vitamin A is an antioxidant which
helps to prevent damage by free radicals that can lead to the formation of certain
cancers. One papaya also contains almost three times the RDA for vitamin C for an
adult non-smoker, and the fruit is an excellent source of fibre and potassium, which
help to regulate bowel function and normal heart function respectively.
Medicinally, papain has been found to have pain killing qualities and is used in spinal
injections to ease the pain accompanying a slipped disc, and an ointment containing
papain is used to prevent rough skin forming around wounds.
The juice of the papaya is a well established cure for indigestion, it has been found to
contain an enzyme called papain, similar to the pepsin which is produced by the
human body to break down protein. The fig-shaped leaves also contain this substance
and traditional uses for them include wrapping them around meats as a tenderiser and
chewing them to aid digestion and to prevent intestinal worms. Papain is also
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commonly used in industrial food preparation as a meat tenderiser.
100g of raw papaya provides 42 kcalories of energy, and contains carbohydrate,
sodium, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and iron.
Parsley(Petroselinum crispum)
An umbelliferous plant, native to the eastern Mediterranean region, related to
coriander and celery. The Ancient Greeks called both parsley and celery sélinon,
differentiating between the two when the need arose by adding the prefix petro ‘rock
celery’, from which both its modern name and that of celery are dervied.
Unfortunately for food historians, this makes identification of which member of the
family is being referred to in ancient references to the herb. They regarded parsley as
the plant of death, and associated it with Persephone, Queen of the Underworld, death
and evil; it was strewn over corpses and included in their burial wreaths and garlands.
Interestingly, they also used it in the wreaths used to crown the winners at both the
Isthmian and Nemean Games.
The Romans loved parsley for its deodourising qualities and they routinely used it as a
breath freshener and as a means of delaying drunkeness. They also believed that
parsley was a strong antidote to poison and a custom grew up of diners wearing a
small wreath of the herb on the wrist at their banquets.
Parsley was one of the plants grown in Circe’s pleasant lawn in The Odyssey.
In Medieval times, parsley was used in folk magic to protect, purify and to provoke
lust, and several superstitions grew up around the plant.
Parsley is a notoriously difficult herb to grow because of the long germination period
needed by its seeds, and the Medieval explanation for this was that the seeds had to
pay several visits to the devil before they would grow. It was also maintained,
probably for the same reason, that parsley would only grow for the head of the
household, and that those in love should never cut parsley, lest they cut their love.
Unfortunately for parsley, the green parts of the plant contain an etheral oil which is
composed of pinene, myristicin and apiol, which is a toxin, and so it use in any great
quantity has been avoided since antiquity. In addition, some Medieval bright spark
unwittingly set its fate, suggesting that sprigs of the herb should be used to decorate
dishes, assigning it firmly to the side of the plate for many centuries after. There are
those, however, who feel that parsley should have been moved even further from the
diner. Ogden Nash, for example, in his Further Reflections of Parsley, sums it up
quite eloquently for the antipathetic with a simple, "Parsley - Is gharsley.” Which is a
pity, because, although many find it an unpleasant and unecessary addition to the
larder, parsley is, in moderation, a very nutritious and useful medicinal plant.
Medicinal : Since early times, parsley has been a valuable corrective for irregularities
in the menstrual cycle: soothing pre-menstrual tension and nerves; acting as a natural
diuretic for bloating; stimulating the uterus; relieving headaches and cramps;
stimulating and regulating delayed, clotted or irregular blood flow. Herbalists
recommend a daily dose of parsley tea to combat the unpleasant affects of menopause.
It has also been used as a treatment for kidney, bladder and urinary tract infections,
and the root in particular has been used to make a decoction to combat kidney stones,
water retention and jaundice.
Parsley tea was used regularly in World War I, to help fight kidney problems
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following bouts of dysentery. The tea, flavoured with honey and lemon, is also used
as a cold remedy. Parsley also has antiseptic properties, and poultices made from its
leaves have been used to clear spots and other skin eruptions.
Parsley is also a deodoriser and can be chewed to clean the breath to great effect after
eating garlic or onions. Herbalists always warn, however, that parsley root should
never be taken in pregnancy and that the seeds should never be used at all.
Nutritionally, parsley is a rich source of vitamin C, containing more by volume than
an orange, which, when combined with the other cancer and cholesterol busting
substances such as flavonoids, coumarins and monoterpenes, explains why the herb is
one of the foodstuffs under investigation by the US National Cancer Institute. It is
also a good source of iron, calcium and vitamins A and B12.
100g of fresh parsley contains 39 kcalories, 6.91g carbohydrate, 1.20g fibre, 39mg
sodium, 2.20g protein, 5200iµ vitamin A, 90mg vitamin C, and 6.20mg iron.
Pasta/Noodles
One of the most simple and most debated foods, the origins of pasta and noodles are
difficult to trace precisely. It is a simple preparation of flour and water whose
appearance in Europe has popularly been credited to the writer and traveller, Marco
Polo, upon his return from China in the 13th century. However, there would seem to
be compelling evidence to show that this basic, boiled unleavened bread was actually
known to Europeans well before Signor Polo’s travels.
One legend describes the arrival of pasta in Italy, brought by Germanic tribes in the
5th century, the secret of its production passed on to an amorous Roman soldier by the
kitchen maid of one of the Chieftans. Even today, in Germany, there exists Spatzle,
homemade wheat flour, soft noodles.
More concrete proof can be found, however, such as the early Etruscan relief at Caere,
dating to around the fourth century BC, which depicts a scene where pasta-making
equipment appears to be in use. In Jerusalem, Talmudic debates during the 5th century
AD raised the question of whether boiled dough would qualify as unleavened bread
under Jewish dietary law and the Persians, who influenced cooking style wherever
they went, had a boiled tagliatelle-like dish which they called lakhshah (slippery).
From another Arabic source, texts dating from the 10th century mention dried pasta
strips, which they called itriyah, being on sale from food traders. Interestingly, and
probably because of their strong historical links with the Arab world, Sicilians were
reported by a 12th century Arab writer and geographer, al-Idrisi, as having a food
made from long strings of dough, which they called trii. Finally, Genoan archives for
the year 1279 list dried macaroni in the details of an estate of a deceased citizen, one
Ponzio Bastone. As Marco Polo did not arrive back in Venice until 1298, it is
probably safe to say that pasta, in some form or another, was already in use in
European kitchens.
No matter how pasta, or to give it its full name, pasta alimentaria, evolved, the
Italians had decided pretty early on how best it should be prepared. Platina’s De
Honesta Voluptate, written in 1475, gives directions for one pasta dish, stating that it
should be cooked only for as long as it takes to repeat 3 Paternosters, indicating that,
even then, Italians preferred their pasta al dente, with a little ‘bite’.
Pasta production was mechanised in Naples in 1878, causing riots of near Luddite
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proportions, and in 1882, British-made kneaders, extruders and cutters followed. By
1933, at the height of Mussolini’s power, the manufacturing company, Braibanti, set
up the first fully mechanized, continuous production line.
Nutritionally, pasta is one of the ‘good guys’. All forms of pasta score well on the
Glycaemic Index - the scale invented to help in the treatment of diabetes, which is
used to measure the rate at which blood sugar levels rise when a particular
carbohydrate bearing food is ingested. Low level GI foods are more complex and
hence digested more slowly, ensuring a longer feeling of satiety, longer term energy
maintenance and keeping blood sugar levels constant. The complex carbohydrate
structure of pasta is broken down slowly by the body and used to build up stores of
energy or glycogen, ensuring that its GI score is always in the desireable sub-50
range. For this reason pasta is a favourite with athletes when preparing for endurance
events where stamina is essential. Another surprising fact about pasta is that it is quite
a low-fat food, taken with the right sauces.
100g of white, boiled spaghetti contains, on average, 73.8g water, 3.6g protein, 0.7g
fat, 22.2g carbohydrate, 0.5g sugar, 1.2g fibre, 7mg calcium, 0.5mg iron and has a
calorific count of just 104 kcalories.
Peach(Prunus persica)
The peach is thought to have originated in China, where it was probably cultivated
from as early as the third millennium BC. It was seen as having very strong divine
connections and associated with immortality and longevity; a soul in the Otherworld
who ate a peach from the World Tree was said to live for 3000 years.
The fabled peaches of the gardens of Samarkand were never allowed to leave the
Imperial orchards at Changan. Eventually, however, the caravans that travelled
through Kashmir took the peach to India, Persia and then to Greece and Rome, where
they knew it as ‘the Persian fruit’ - hence the specific name.
Confucius, who wrote down his thoughts about practically everything, wrote about the
peach in the 5th century BC and the Classical cookbook by Apicius lists a patina, or
paste, made with peaches and served with cumin sauce.
The peach was growing in the London gardens of the wealthy by the late 16th century
and the fruit was one of the favourites at the Elizabethan court, although the smoother
nectarine was thought to be superior. The Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony
introduced the peach tree to the Colonies in 1629 where it thrived and took so well to
the climate in the Americas that some naturalists thought that it must be a native fruit.
Peaches are low in calories, easy to digest and high in fibre, giving a gentle laxative
and regulatory effect. If eaten unpeeled they provide over three-quarters of the
recommended daily intake of vitamin C for an adult non-smoker and around 10% of
the daily requirement of beta-carotene.
Dried peaches provide roughly six times the calories of the fresh fruit, weight for
weight and just 50g of dried peaches will provide two-fifths of the RDA for iron and
one-sixth of potassium. Canned peaches, however, lose over 80% of their vitamin C
content.
1 fresh peach, with skin, weighs around 100g and gives 35 kcalories energy, 2g
dietary fibre, 11.10g carbohydrate, 6.6mg vitamin C, 4701 iµ beta-carotene, 0.11mg
iron and a trace of potassium.
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Peanut(Arachis hypogaea – Groundnut)
Peanuts have been found in ancient Peruvian mummy graves in Ancón and Paracao
and there is evidence to show that they were grown in pre-Inca times in Peru.
One of the most important plants to leave the Americas in the so-called ‘Columbian
Exchange’, the groundnut, which is actually a legume, swiftly became a staple in
several far-flung corners of the world.
In Indonesia and Malaysia they form the basis of most of the salads and sauces and in
West Africa, they fill out many of the traditional meat stews.
The oil, when refined, is light and tasteless, making it ideal for the lighter cooking
styles, such as Chinese and Thai and its above average resistance to heat, hence
burning, makes it doubly attractive to these cuisines, where cooking takes place at
extremely high temperatures. And, although high in polyunsaturates, it does not go
rancid quickly - important in warmer climates.
Peanuts are a concentrated form of energy, an excellent source of protein and fibre, a
good source of the B-Vitamin group and vitamin E. However, they are very high in
fat.
Unfortunately, nuts, and peanuts in particular, are one of the most common allergen
groups, with as many as one in 200 people being affected. In the most extreme cases,
the smallest trace of nut can trigger a reaction which leads to a state known as
anaphylactic shock, often fatal without a countering adrenaline injection to restore the
heartbeat of the victim.
Recently, however, research scientists at the John Hopkins University School of
Medicine in the United States, have announced that they are currently working on a
potential genetic vaccine to be offered to those at high risk. Although this has only
been tested on rodents so far, they are confident that this could become a viable option
for human patients within a matter of just a few years.
100g of roasted, salted peanuts contain 602 kcalories, 24.5g protein, 53g fat, 7.1g
carbohydrate, 3.8g sugars, 6g fibre, 37mg calcium 1.3mg iron, 400mg sodium and
0.18mg Thaimin.
Peanuts do score well, however on the Glycaemic Index, the scale which calculates
the rate at which blood sugar levels rise when a particular carbohydrate bearing food
is ingested, well underneath the 50, at just 14.
Pear(Pyrus communis)
The pear is European and Asiatic in origin, centering most probably on the region of
the Caucasus, and has been cultivated since well before recorded history. It is thought
that it was spread by the migration of the Aryans through Europe and India and the
remains of wild pears have been found at Mesolithic sites.
The pear was considered to be a superior fruit by the Ancients, who much preferred it
to the apple. The Romans raised its cultivation to an art form. In 300BC, Theophrastes
describes pear growing in detail and Pliny the Elder, the Roman Encyclopaedist lists
more pears than apples in his works. The Chinese, too, held the pear above the apple.
At the time of the Sung Dynasty, (1279AD), there was just one variety of apple
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known to the Chinese, but many pears, and it is the Chinese who claim to have
introduced the fruit into India. Cultivation of different strains was so successful that
by the height of the Medici 200 varieties were available and records from the Royal
Horticultural Society at Kew had identified more than 700 by 1842.
The pear was included in the Westward part of the Columbian Exchange, with seeds
being shipped out to the new colony at Massachusetts in 1629. Because they were
grown from seeds, they took on new characteristic in their new environment, creating
quite distinctive American strains.
Pear breeding was at its height in Western Europe by the 18th century and by 1849
the first Doyenne de Comice made its appearance on the banks of the Loire in France.
Medicinal : Nutritionally, the pear is useful for potassium intake, which helps to
regulate blood pressure levels and are a good source of insoluble fibre, which helps
regulate bowel action and may protect against certain forms of cancer. Pear is also a
source of soluble fibre, pectin, and one fruit yields around 10% of the recommended
daily intake for vitamin C. At 40 kcalories per 100g or 70 for the average pear, it is an
ideal snack for weightwatchers - sweet with fructose for easily utilized energy intake but still only 38 on the Glycaemic Index. Dried pears also contain iron and even
higher concentrations of potassium.
Pears are also amongst the least allergenic of foodstuffs, and so are popular for use in
weaning, exclusion and invalid diets.
Pineapple(Ananas comosus)
Pineapple is a compound fruit, native to South & Central tropical America, possibly
cultivated initially in Peru from around 1,000 AD. The generic name, ananas,
commonly used to identify it in many European countries is derived from the
Brazilian Tupi Indian word anana, ‘excellent fruit’. Pineapple was given to it by the
early Spanish explorers for its fancied pine-cone shape.
It was first seen by Colombus in Guadaloupe in 1493, although difficulties in timing
for its transportation didn’t see its arrival in Europe until the early 16th century, when
it caused quite a stir. It caught the public imagination and soon appeared everywhere.
Coats of arms; architectural ornament; pottery imitation; containers: the ubiquitous
exotic shape became almost commonplace in 17th century Europe. Walter Raleigh
called it the “Princess of Fruits” and it was so admired that European gardeners
worked hard on cultivating it, managing the first plants by the early 1520’s.
The pineapple remained such a curiosity in English society that the presentation of the
first pineapple to be raised in England, made by the Royal Gardener, Mr John Rose,
for Charles II in 1661, was the subject of a painting by Danckerts. By the mid-16th
century the pineapple was being grown in India, from whence it moved quickly
onwards to China and, in 1777, Captain Cook took it almost full-circle to the Pacific
Islands. Nowadays, the main producers of pineapple on a commercial scale are
Hawaii and Malaysia.
Traditional folk medicine credits the pineapple with many healing powers and fresh
pineapple juice has been used as a gargle for throat infections, to relieve catarrh,
arthritis, bronchitis and indigestion. The fresh fruit contains the enzyme bromelain
which breaks down protein and which is so strong that people who regularly work
with pineapples in quantity have to wear protective gloves and clothing to protect
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their skin. The enzyme is sometimes prescribed in tablet form as an aid to those who
find it difficult to digest proteins.
Medicinal : Investigations carried out over the past 50 years have produced over 400
extensive papers on the effects of bromelain. Some suggest that it may be of use in the
treatment of heart disease by helping to disperse blood clots. Other studies have
presented evidence that it may help to combat sinus congestion, urinary tract
infections and that it may augment the effects of antibiotics. Bromelain is also an antiinflammatory and has been used in the treatment of both osteo- and rhematoid
arthritis. It also appears to accelerate tissue repair and is used in several applications
marketed for the treatment of sports injuries. However, the canning process destroys
the bromelain but not the vitamin C content. Fresh pineapple provides almost a
quarter of the recommended daily intake for vitamin C inb a non-smoking adult, but
not much in the form of other vitamins or minerals.
100g canned in juice provides 47 kcalories energy, no fat, 12.2g carbohydrate in the
form of sugars, 0.5g non-soluble fibre, 8mg calcium, 0.5mg iron, 1mg sodium, 2µg
vitamin A, 0.09mg Thiamin and 11mg vitamin C. Pineapple has a score of 66 on the
Glycaemic Index.
Pistachio(Pistacia vera)
The pistachio is one of only two nuts to be mentioned by name in the Bible, the other
being the almond, and it was probably brought under cultivation initially for its oil.
The nut is the fruit of a small tree, native to Western Asia and the earliest evidence of
it being consumed has been found at sites in Turkey and the Middle East, dating back
to 7,000BC. It came to Europe via Rome from Syria and so became known as the
‘Syrian nut’.
Pistachios, when ripe, are open at one end and the people of Iran, where most
pistachios are grown nowadays, called this state khandan which means laughing.
Uniquely in the nut world, the healthy kernel of a pistachio is green, due to the high
presence of chlorophyll, a colour to be avoided in other members of the family, as an
indicator to poison.
Ancient writers mention it as a luxury food, as it still is, used mainly in rich, festive
dishes such as fancy desserts and as a garnish.
Unani Tibb is the only medicinal regime which mentions a use for the pistachio and
then just for the skin of the nut, which is listed as a combative to diarrhoea.
Plantain(Musa sapientum)
The plantain is also known as the cooking banana and is a staple food in Eastern and
Central Africa, and is also used widely in other tropical regions. The fruit is thicker
and larger than the dessert varieties and their skins can be pink, green, red, orange or
black-brown.
Unani Tibb, the dietetic and medicinal doctrine founded by the Arab physician,
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Avicenna, lists its properties as being astringent, demulcent (containing a viscous
substance which soothes inflamed tissues), and expectorant. The hakims, or healers,
are advised to use the roots and leaves in their preparations for blood disorders and as
a coolant and diuretic.
The plantain is also used to combat coughs, irritated throats, gastritis, respiratory
problems and to eliminate mucus and catarrh. Externally, the leaves are crushed to
produce a paste which soothes cuts, wounds, sores insect bites and haemorrhoids.
Plants
Plants form the largest and most easily obtainable type of food, providing nutrients
from all groups; carbohydrates, fats and proteins. They are also fairly easy to catch,
most need no special preparation before being ready to eat and, with the exception of
the poisonous few, do not fight back. Early settlers also found that quite a few could
be grown to order. This discovery probably happened quite by accident, when
discarded seeds from gathered edible plants began to thrive in the fertile middens and
refuse heaps.
All but a few of the common vegetables have been eaten since pre-history by Man,
although it was not until the 16th century and the growth of wider trade links and
communication that a greater variety of produce became available to any one culture.
The first plants to have been brought under cultivation, some 10,000 years ago, are
thought to have been the grains and legumes; the richest sources of proteins and
carbohydrates in the plant world. It is believed that fruits and vegetables would have
followed quite a bit later, as, although they contribute vitamins and minerals, they
offer less in the way of the more filling and energy-giving carbohydrates, and so
would always has been considered supplements rather than staple foodstuffs.
Primitive Europeans still had quite a range to choose from. They were able to grow
wheat, beans, peas, carrots, turnips, radishes and onions, and by around 3,000BC,
most of the native Mediterranean food plants were already in use by the Egyptians
and Sumerians.
In Central America, maize, beans, avocados and tomatoes were all being grown by
around 3,500BC, with the Peruvians already reliant on the potato as their staple.
Asia’s earliest crops were millet, rice, wheat, banana and the coconut palm, which
provided so much more than simply food. Early societies also developed a taste for
flavoured foods, with the Europeans and Asians using mustard seeds and ginger,
whilst the indigenous Americans started using chillies. By 2,500BC the embryonic
spice trade had been established by the naturally nomadic Arab traders and in
1,200BC it was recorded that Ramses III had given offerings of huge amounts of
cinnamon, a native of Ceylon, an indication of just how widespread the trade had
grown.
In the Classical world, the Greeks were very fond of lettuce and ate fruit at the end of
their meals. Black pepper from India was in use in Europe by 500BC and very quickly
became the most popular and highly prized spice in the ancient world. It flavoured
staple gruels and had the added benefit of both hiding and retarding food spoilage.
The Romans also loved all other spices, especially cumin, the use of which they
spread further west, together with their fruits, vines and cabbages. Lines of supply
were, naturally, weakened after the fall of the Empire with interest being rekindled
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after the visit of Haroun al-Raschid, the Caliph of Islam immortalized in 1001 Nights,
to the Emperor Charlemagne in around 800AD.
In ancient Rome, vegetables were regarded as hors d’oeuvres with fruit as a dessert,
and like the Greeks, who provided most of their cooks, they too served lettuce both at
the beginning and end of the meal, as they believed that the leaves would enable them
to drink more wine without ill-effect.
By the beginning of the Christian era, the earliest form of genetic engineering,
grafting, had been well-developed by both the Greeks and the Romans. The Romans,
through a combination of discovery and cultivation, developed 25 varieties of apple
and 38 of pears. They also refined the grafting method for the propagation of olive
trees, still in use today, leading to most of the trees being clones and virtually identical
to those grown by the ancients.
The Renaissance brought the so-called ‘Colombian Exchange’, bringing a veritable
cornucopia of exotic, new plant foods: Maize, common bean, squash, tomato, hot and
sweet peppers, potato, groundnut, avocado and the pineapple. The mis-named
‘French’ bean was an immediate success, but outside Italy, where they have an eye for
a good thing, the tomato was grown purely for ornament and corn and the potato soon
became cheap staple crops for the poor masses. The Exchange was two-way and by
the end of the 16th century sugar cane and East Indian spices were being successfully
cultivated in the new plantations in the West Indies. The 17th and 18th centuries then
saw a further development, caused by the setting up of these colonial estates.
Watermelon, okra and black-eyed peas spread to both the Americas and Europe,
carried by the slave trade from Africa to the colonies.
By the 18th century a novelty appeared; the salad became fashionable. French food
hygienists recommended eating fruit at the start of a meal and salad at the end,
reasoning that the salad would moisten and refresh the stomach, encourage sleep,
enlarge the appetite, temper the ‘ardors of Venus’ and appease the thirst. And to think,
the Romans and Greeks did exactly the same thing for the less romantic reason of
being able to drink more.
The word fruit is derived from the Latin word frui, meaning to enjoy or delight in and
originally meant any food plant, although it gradually came to mean just the edible
layer of flesh which surrounds seeds. Fruit phrases entered the language, almost
always being associated with pleasure or beauty, with the rare exceptions, of course,
such as the raspberry and the lemon. Perhaps one of the reasons for this positive view
of fruit is that they tend to be sweeter and generally have a higher sugar content: 15%
on average, for temperate zone fruits, up to 60% in the tropics, with the lemon coming
in at just 1%.
In the 18th century, botanists specified that a fruit is the organ derived from the ovary
and surrounding the seeds. Around the same time, vegetable, from the Latin vegere
meaning to enliven, came to be used for plant foods eaten as an accompaniment to a
meal, as opposed to its original meaning of simply a plant. In contrast to the more
romantic phraseology linked with fruits, however, the poor old vegetables became
linked in speech with boring, stupid or dull associations, with perhaps just the carrot
coming out best, being used to illustrate a reward.
The issue of what constitutes vegetable or plant, however, still raged on. Lots of plant
foods labeled as vegetables are technically fruit: green beans, aubergines, cucumbers,
marrows and sweetcorn have been so defined by common usage.
On the tomato debate, no less a body than the U.S. Supreme Court officially
designated the fruit to be a vegetable when, in a case at the end of the 19th century, a
New York produce importer lost his battle with the Customs authorities. He argued
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that, as a fruit, the tomato was not subject to import duty. However, the Court ruled
against him on the grounds of linguistic custom, citing that tomatoes “....are usually
served at dinner in, with or after the soup, fish or meat, which constitute the principle
part of the repast, and not, like fruit, generally as dessert.”
Plum(Prunus domestica)
Evidence of plum-eating has been found in Switzerland at prehistoric lake-sites and it
is thought to be native to a wide band from Anatolia, the Caucasus and northern
Persia. Mesopotamian records mention that they were grown in the orchards there and
an Assyrian herbal recommends that they are eaten with honey and butter.
The Romans were fond of plums and experimented a great deal, as they did with all
the fruit plants they liked, with grafting and cultivation techniques, to produce a great
number of varieties. As Pliny the Elder, the 1st century encyclopaedist put it “a great
throng”. Their genetic tinkering probably ensured that the plum reached the status of
having more varieties than any other stone fruit today, with a staggering total of
something over 2000.
The Latin generic name is used elsewhere, in varying forms, such as the French prune,
as the common name for the fruit but in England, this term has been used exclusively
for the dried form since Medieval times. In the Middle Ages, the contrary English also
used the word plum to mean almost any kind of dried fruit too, leading to quite a bit
of confusion as to the original recipes for those British classics such as plum pudding
and cake - Little Jack Horner could have pulled out a large raisin or cherry.
Culpeper, the herbalist who mixed astrology in with his botany, assigned the plum to
Venus, reasoning that the fruits were very much like women - “some better and some
worse.”
Nutritionally, plums are a good source of Vitamin E, an antioxidant which helps to
protect body cells from the damage caused by ‘free radicals’, and may help to combat
the effects of ageing.
Medicinal : Umeboshi, brine-pickled plums are used in traditional far-Eastern
medicine to treat digestive problems. When dried, as prunes, plums are a concentrated
source of fruit sugars, an ideal energy food and they also provide potassium, iron and
Vitamin B6.
They are also a useful source of dietary fibre with helps to avoid constipation and may
help to combat certain cancers, like those of the colon and bowel. In addition, studies
carried out in the United States are thought to indicate that the soluble fibre found in
prunes may help to lower ‘bad’ or LDL cholesterol levels. Prunes also lower the
levels of certain acids in the body, which may also help to protect against colon
cancer. Prunes are also a good source of beta-carotene, iron, which is necessary in red
blood cell manufacture, copper, which prevents blood clots, thus avoiding thrombosis
and stroke, and boron, important in helping post-menopausal women retain the
oestrogen that is needed for calcium absorption, so guarding against osteoporosis.
A 100g serving of fresh plums, with skin = 36 kcalories, 8.8g carbodhydrate in the
form of sugars, 1.6g fibre, 13mg calcium, 0.4mg iron, 2mg sodium, 49 µg Vitamin A,
0.05mg thiamin, 4mg vitamin C. 100g prunes =141 kcalories, 34g carbohydrate as
sugar, 5.4g fibre, 34mg calcium, 2.6mg iron, 11mg sodium, 23 µg Vitamin A, 0.09mg
thiamin, and no vitamin C.
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Pomegranate(Punica granatum)
The pomegranate probably originated in Asia Minor and it has been a favourite fruit
in the mythology of the region since earliest times. Assyrian art and monuments
feature the pomegranate; remains of pomegranate have been found in Bronze Age
tombs at Jericho, and carbonised fruits have been found amongst the funerary
offerings and gardens of Ramesses II, dating them to 13th century BC.
Its common name is derived from the Latin poma granita, seeded apple, but the
ancient Romans also called it pomum punicum as the fruit was introduced to them via
Punica, or Carthage, in North Africa.
This link also gave rise to its botanical generic name with the granatum, many seeds,
added as its specific name. This multi-seed structure has ensured a close link to
mysticism since earliest times, particularly in the fields of life-force and fertility and it
is one of the fruits which has been identified as the possible ‘forbidden fruit’ of the
Garden of Eden.
The Ebers Papyrus, dated at around 2,000BC mentions the pomegranate, it appears in
the Old Testament and ancient Sanskrit texts also indicate early cultivation in India.
In Greek mythology, the fruit plays quite an important part in the story of
Persephone’s abduction and the creation of winter. Demeter, her mother was so upset
that she suspended all growth on earth, preventing trees and plants from bearing fruit.
Whilst in Hades, Persephone had vowed not eat, but was eventually tempted by a
pomegranate and swallowed just six seeds. When Pluto finally relented and gave
Persephone back to Demeter, he insisted that she should return to Hades each year,
spending a month for each of the seeds she had eaten, triggering Demeter’s grief and
thus creating winter.
Ironically for the fruit which was associated with the onset of winter for the Greeks,
the Hittites used it as the prime symbol of their god of agriculture, Ibritz, and its
strong fertility symbolism earned it a place on both the Royal badge of Katherine of
Aragon, one of the wives of Henry VIII, and the blazon of the Royal College of
Physicians.
The Spanish city of Granada is named after it, as it was thought that its rather
scattered layout would look like a half-opened pomegranate. Less pleasant things
have also acquired their name from inspiration taken from this delicious fruit. When
ripe, the pomegranate bursts and scatters its seeds in all directions around it and so, in
the 1590’s, when a bomb was invented which scattered metal fragments in much the
same way, one name seemed appropriate - grenade.
The pomegranate has been used in healing for centuries with Pliny, the Roman
Encyclopaedist, recommended using pomegranate root bark to expel tapeworm. The
Indian holistic doctrine Ayurveda uses pomegranate rind to treat dysentery and its
astringent properties are also useful in the treatment of diarrhoea. Under their
classification system, pomegranate is listed as sour and is attributed with the ability to
increase saliva flow, thus aiding digestion. The juice is also said to be cooling and
nutritious and good in the treatment of bleeding gums. Pomegranate leaves are also
used for their antibacterial properties and were traditionally applied to open wounds
and sores.
Unani Tibb, the eastern dietetic and medicine philosophy founded by the physician
Avicenna, also uses pomegranate as an astringent, using its leaves and flowers as a
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styptic and a tonic. Tibb also recommends the use of pomegranate for curing worms,
although with care, as large doses can cause vomiting and giddiness. The rind is used
to combat diarrhoea, haemorrhage, cancers and ulcers of the uterus and rectum and is
also used to treat fevers. A tea is also made from the bark to eliminate tapeworm.
Refreshingly, the Tibb doctrine has only one use for the fruit flesh itself - food.
As a food, the pomegranate is a very important ingredient in Middle Eastern cookery,
used to flavour meat stews and the dried seeds being used as a garnish. Indian cuisine
uses it too, sometimes using the seeds in stuffings for savoury breads and pastries and
are used as a refreshing change of taste and texture in salads and drinks. The juice is
also used to make drinks, desserts and is, of course, the base for the liquor, grenadine.
Nutritionally, pomegranate is a good source of vitamin C and useful for fibre intake
when the seeds are eaten.
100g pomegranate flesh gives and energy value of 72 kcalories, 1.0g protein, 16.6g
carbohydrate, 1mg sodium, 379mg potassium, 13mg calcium, 12mg magnesium,
0.7mg iron, 0.17mg copper, 0.3mg niacin and 7mg vitamin C
Poppy(Papaver somniferum)
Recorded use of the poppy dates back well over 5,000 years, to the time of the ancient
Sumerians and it was used by all the great civilizations; used by the Egyptians, Greeks
and Romans and cultivated in China, India and Iran by the 8th century AD.
The drug opium is obtained from this species of poppy, a thick, milky latex which is
extracted from the unripe seed heads, which contains some 25 different alkaloids,
notably morphine and codeine, both powerful painkillers. This, of course, has led to
its use as a medical painkiller since the earliest times. It has also been used for its
sedative, antispasmodic and expectorant properties. Eighth century Arab physicians
formulated a cough syrup, based on opium, which was in common use up until the
17th century.
During the Middle Ages, sponges impregnated with poppy juice, mandrake, hemlock
and ivy were used as an early form of anaesthesia during medical operations.
The Victorian era saw opium abuse, with tincture of opium, laudanum, used routinely
for pain control and opium smoking becoming a fashion among the creative and arty
set. Opium mis-use continues today, with heroin, a morphine derivative high on the
list of so-called ‘recreational’ drugs.
However, the ripe seeds contain none of these narcotic alkaloids and neither does the
oil extracted from them, and the tiny, nutty seeds impart a wonderful flavour to foods
such as cakes, biscuits and breads.
Poppy seeds are very popular in Indian cookery, where they are used not just to
flavour, but as a very effective thickening agent too.
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Potato(Solanum tuberosum esculentum)
The potato is a native of highland South America, with evidence of use in Peru dating
back to at least 3,000 BC. Since maize, the staple for most of the Americas, does not
grow well at altitude, the potato, a hardy plant which takes a lot of punishment,
became the staple of the American mountain dwellers. It can grow at altitudes as high
as 4,000m (13,000ft) and can even grow on the snowline. Firm evidence of cultivation
in Peru has been found dating back to 750BC and archeologists have also found
remains of a dehydrated potato product, chuño which seemed to form an important
part of winter food stores and a potato flour, produced by a similar process, called
tunta. Pottery items in the shape of potatoes have also been found at some sites,
suggesting that it may also have been worshipped.
There are several claims for its discovery and transport to the ‘Old World’, but first
off the mark may have been the Spanish explorer, Gonzalez Jiménez de Quesada, who
first came across it in 1536, mistaking it originally for a new variety of truffle.
The idea that Sir Walter Raleigh is responsible for bringing it from the ‘New World’
seems to now be generally regarded as a modern myth and Lindsey Bareham in her
‘In Praise of the Potato’, 1995, quotes a theory as to why the connection was
established, put forward by the American foodwriter, Waverley Root:
“In 1586, Sir Walter Raleigh’s cousin, Sir Richard Grenville, sailed to do battle with
the Spaniards in the Caribbean, and the story goes that he was asked to drop off some
provisions in Virginia for premature colonists. One of Raleigh’s men, Thomas Hariot,
went along for the ride as far as Virginia and on arrival they discovered that the
colonists wanted out. Around that time Sir Francis Drake was about to set sail for
England after a successful series of battles against the Spaniards in the Caribbean.
“Drake stocked up with provisions for the return journey at Cartagena, Colombia,
and included some potatoes. Next stop was Virginia to pick up the colonists. They
returned via Ireland and Raleigh is supposed to have planted some of the tubers in his
property at Youghal, near Cork. But, by the time the ship arrived in England, the
potato and the Virginian settlers became inextricably entwined and potatoes became
Virginian potatoes.”
Reaction to its introduction was mixed, to say the least. As a member of the
solanaceae, its 12 European cousins include such varieties as mandrake, henbane,
woody nightshade, deadly nightshade and thorn apple, leading many to regard it has
having similar, poisonous properties. However, the Americas have over 1,000
members of the genus, including the tomato and chilli.
Even its common name became subject to confusion. Another tuber, the Sweet Potato,
brought back by Columbus from Haiti, and called batata by the natives there was
often confused with the ordinary potato and so the original Peruvian papas was soon
forgotten. The Spanish changed it to patata, the English to potato and most of the rest
of Europe seem to have opted for variations on an ‘earth-apple’ theme - pomme de
terre in France.
The potato was taken to India in the early 17th century where it did little to challenge
rice and pulses as a staple, but did gain acceptance as a vegetable. John Gerard listed
the plant in his herbal in 1597, by 1650 it had become the staple food in Ireland and
by 1840 it had been attributed with causing over-population in Ireland. In 1845 and
1846 the potato famine affected the population badly enough to trigger mass
emigration to America and Britain.
However, not all the Celts took to it. In Northern Ireland and Scotland, Protestants
237
refused to use it as it was not mentioned in the Bible, but the canny Roman Catholic
Irish overcame this particular theological problem by ‘baptizing’ seed potatoes with
Holy Water and planting them on Good Friday.
The resourceful Irish also found another use for their new staple. They mashed them
up then boiled and distilled them to produce the sometimes lethal Poteen (pronounce
pocheen). Frank Muir, humourist and author, writing in 1976 on the subject, pointed
out that in many cases this moonshine eau de vie turned out to be eau de mort.
European leaders seized upon the easily grown, filling crop as a means of feeding the
masses; Frederick the Great of Prussia ordered mass cultivation and several European
governments issued edicts promoting the tuber.
The English also saw the great potential of the potato, although they regarded it
initially as a medicine and, typically for the times, an aphrodisiac, as highlighted by
its inclusion as such in Shakespeare’s ‘Merry Wives of Windsor’.
The French, on the other hand, reviled it, and it was only used on a very small scale
until pharmacist, Antoine-Auguste Parmentier, recommended the use of the potato as
a solution to the country’s recurring famine in the early 1770’s. However, the French
were less than enamoured of this ugly, unprepossessing tuber and resisted strongly.
Feelings against the potato were so high that a rumour even existed that it would
cause leprosy. So Parmentier indulged in a little reverse psychology; gaining
permission from Louis XVI to plant a small field of potatoes just outside Paris, he
posted a very conspicuous guard. This was enough to pique the interest of the contrary
French temperament with Parisians, who had initially turned up their noses at the
tuber, plundering the crop and giving the potato a new-found ‘chic’. To reinforce this
new growing popularity, M. Parmentier demonstrated a genius for marketing that
many modern companies would envy in organizing a royal banquet, at which every
course contained potatoes in some form and the Royal couple wore potato flowers, his
name gaining synonymity with the potato for posterity in France.
In folk medicine, potato and milk poultices are used for cuts and wounds, skin
infections and swellings; raw potato juice is used for gastritis and stomach swellings
and it is believed that its alkaline properties make it good for combating uric acid
retention, rheumatism and arthritis.
Today, the potato is the third most important crop in the world and, according to
figures from the Potato Marketing Board, we eat an average of 100kg (242lb) per
person, per annum.
Nutritionally, the potato has had some unfair press over the years, being falsely
labelled ‘stodgy’ and ‘fattening’. In fact, it is not the potato itself which piles on the
calorie count, but whatever cooking method or accompaniment one chooses.
An example of this is the fried potato crisp or chip. Labelled as junk food or ‘empty
calories’, they are actually an excellent source of potassium and a good source of
vitamin C. An average bag of crisps (35g) provides just under a quarter of the
recommended daily allowance for vitamin C in an adult non-smoker.
The BIG drawback is that they have a huge fat content. Because of the large surface
area afforded by their shape, they absorb 1/3 of their weight in fat. Another high-fat
British favourite, the chip, (ironically dubbed French-fries by the Americans and
Pommes Anglaise by the French), is also high in fat. But this can be reduced by
various methods. Using fresh potatoes, rather than frozen will help - frozen chips
absorb fat more readily. Oven chips, however, are lower in fat by comparison to deep
fry. In addition to this, the cut of the chip will also affect final fat content. Weight-forweight, the thinner a chip is cut, the greater the surface area created and hence in
contact with the fat, and fat absorption increases. Needless to say, crinkle-cut
238
increases the surface area even more! Oven chips contain around 5%, medium-cut
10% and thin cut, or string, 20%. A 225g (8oz) potato, boiled, steamed or baked
contains just 160 calories and is composed of 81% water, 16% starch, 1% minerals
and trace elements, 0.79% vitamins, 0.6% fibre, 0.35% protein, 0.27% sugars and
0.08% fats.
One medium potato supplies, on average, 30mg vitamin C, nearly as much as in a
glass of tomato juice and 1.5mg iron, which is around the same amount as in an egg.
However, long storage times, soaking, boiling and salt in the cooking water can drain
out some of the precious nutrients, which are mainly found just under the surface of
the skin. For this reason, some people advocate using potato cooking water for soup
stocks, gravies and cooking other vegetables and always cooking them in their skins.
Potato juice has also been used for some time in Germany as an effective antacid.
The potato also contains thiamin, riboflavin, nicotinic acid and a significant amount of
potassium at 844µg per 100g. When potatoes turn green, however, throw them away.
When exposed to light in bad storage, poisonous solanine levels rise rapidly, causing
them to be unfit for consumption when levels rise above as much as 0.1%. Even in
small amount, solanine can cause drowsiness and migraines in those sensitive to its
effects.
Pumpkin(Cucurbita pepo)
Fragments of pumpkin have been found in Mexico which date back 4,000 years,
giving a fair indication of just how long this has been a food crop. Etymologists
believe that the common name is derived from the classical Greek pepon, meaning
melon, via the Old French, pompon.
Pumpkin seeds, taken with castor oil, have been used as a traditional method to expel
intestinal worms and they have also been used to combat urinary tract infections and
their hormone-like action is capitalised upon to ease prostate problems.
Easily digested, pumpkin rarely triggers allergic reactions and scores quite a high 75
on the Glycaemic Index - the scale invented to help in the treatment of diabetes,
which is used to measure the rate at which blood sugar levels rise when a particular
carbohydrate bearing food is ingested. Low level GI foods, (preferably under 50), are
longer term energy maintenance and keeping blood sugar levels constant.
Medicinal : As with all orange fruit and vegetables, red pumpkin is an excellent
source of beta-carotene, the plant pre-cursor which is converted to vitamin A by the
body, a powerful antioxidant, as is vitamin E, also found in pumpkin. Both are quite
powerful anti-oxidants which may prevent the damage caused to body cells by free
radicals which, in turn, can cause ageing and certain types of cancer.
Pumpkin seeds, too, are quite nutritious. Used sometimes in Middle Eastern and
Indian cookery, they are an excellent source of iron and phosphorous and a good
source of potassium, magnesium and zinc.
100g pumpkin flesh give 15 kcalories, 0.5g fibre, 0.6g protein, 3.4g carbohydrate,
1mg sodium, 310mg potassium, 39mg calcium, 8mg magnesium, 0.4mg iron, 0.08mg
copper, 5mg vitamin C, and 1500µg carotene.
239
Radish(Raphanus sativus - Daikon, Mooli, Spring radish)
Commonly taken to mean the swollen parts of the roots of a family of cruciferous
plants which are related to cabbage, turnip, horseradish, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower
etc. The plant is thought to be an ‘Old World’ native from a region which stretches to
as far as Japan, but it is difficult to pinpoint where it first occurred accurately as it has
been used from the Mediterranean to the Orient as far back as it is possible to trace.
Herodotus, writing in the 5th century BC, includes the radish in the list of vegetables
which were supposed to have been used by the Egyptians to feed the slaves who built
the Great Pyramid.
The botanical name is from the Greek, raphanos, and the Latin raphanus, both
versions of the same word which these ancient societies used to describe any of the
radish family known to them at the time.
The Common word, radish, however, is a direct descendent of the Latin radix,
meaning root.
It reached Britain in the mid-16th century and by 1633 Gerard was able to record
four varieties of radish; to be made into a sauce to accompany meats and to stimulate
the appetite, eaten raw with bread.
This latter practice survived quite a while in the case of the small red spring radish,
packed as it is with similar glucosides to mustard, giving it a sharp peppery tang,
which would also be covered in butter and salt before eating with the bread.
The larger radishes, known as Mooli in much of Asia, Chinese Icicle Radish in
America, where they were taken by Iberian explorers in the 17th century, or daikon in
Japan, are long and white, shaped like large carrots. They are valued for their ability
to withstand long cooking without losing shape or too much texture, and for their
ability to absorb flavours whilst retaining their individual character. Always used
peeled, they are used in much the same way as potatoes, carrots or turnips.
Medicinal : Radish is a useful source of vitamin C, necessary for the production of
collagen which is used in skin, bone, cartilage, teeth and gum development and in the
healing process. They are also low in fat and calories and have been used in herbalism
as a diuretic, so, although an ideal light snack for slimmers, they are not to be
overdone.
In Ayurveda, the ancient Indian holistic method of balancing one’s life and health,
the radish and its relations are listed in the pungent category; seen as cleansing,
increasing the flow of saliva, hence aiding digestion, absorbing excess liquids and
used sometimes as a gentle expectorant. Interestingly, Romany gypsies, who can trace
their ancestry back to the same roots as these practitioners, use horseradish juice, a
plant which is another member of this cruciferous group, mixed with honey, as a
treatment for bronchial complaints.
Unani Tibb, the dietetic and medicinal school set up by the Persian healer Avicenna
more that 1,000 years ago, also value the radish for its medicinal properties. Among
the uses listed by the hakims are to combat coughs, rheumatism, gallbladder
problems, flatulence, diarrhoea, headache and insomnia. Its juice is also used as a
mouth cleanser in Tibb to prevent dental caries.
It was also grown as a ‘proper’ vegetable, for its leaves as well as the root, as the
daikon still is and the beta-carotene commonly found in such dark, green leaves, is
known to be a powerful antioxidant, and is under investigation by several study
groups for its ability to either combat or prevent many types of cancers.
100g red, raw radish = 15 kcalories, 93.3g water, 1.0g fibre, 2.8g carbohydrate, 1mg
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protein, 59mg sodium, 240mg potassium, 44mg calcium, 11mg magnesium, 1.9mg
iron, 0.13mg copper, 0.1mg zinc, 0.04mg vitamin B1, 0.02mg vitamin B2, 0.4mg
niacin, 25mg vitamin C and 24µg folates.
100g white/mooli, raw = 24 kcalories, 93g water, 1g protein, 0.1g fat, 4.3g
0.4mg iron, 0.15mg copper, 0.2mg zinc, 0.02mg vitamin B1, 0.03mg vitamin B2,
0.7mg niacin, 42mg vitamin C.
Rice(Oryza sativa)
‘Rice is a necessary and appropriate food for virtuous and graceful life’ Confucius
Rice is the staple food of over half the world’s population, and there are three basic
varieties - long grain, short grain and glutinous - spread across the 19 species of this
member of the grass family.
A tropical plant, it requires quite high temperatures and humidity to grow
successfully. The plant has a hollow stem which carries oxygen down to its roots, an
evolutionary adaptation to growth in flooded areas, although it is thought that the now
long-established paddy-field cultivation by man, which nowadays is where 90% of the
world’s rice is grown, was probably not developed as an agricultural skill until late in
the Neolithic period, probably around 3,000BC. The remainder, which does not need
to be flooded, growing much like any other cereal crop, is known as upland rice.
Wild rice, the dark grain which has been fashionable, sometimes mixed with
American long-grain for some time now, is not a true rice at all, but the seed of an
aquatic grass, Zizania aquatica. It grows in the swamps and shallow lakes of central
North America and was once the staple food of several Native American tribes, who
used to harvest it by shaking the ears of grass over their canoes to collect the seeds - a
method which is still used today.
Theories differ widely as to exactly where and when rice cultivation first started.
Some scholars believe that it first appeared in the Ganges Delta, in India, in around
3,000BC, moving eastwards as early trade movements began during the Chinese
Bronze Age. Other sources claim evidence exists in excavations in Eastern China
dating back to 6,000BC, whilst yet another group point to food remains found in a
cave in Northern Thailand, dating back to around 6,000BC, as the earliest evidence of
Man’s cultivation of this basic foodstuff.
It is mentioned in several very early texts: Susrutha Samhita a medical work from
around 1,000BC classifies the then existing strains in India, including advice on
nutritional value; Greek texts from around the time of Alexander’s invasion of India
in 320BC refer to rice as being an Indian grain; Aristobulus, writing in 280BC
mentions that rice was being grown in Babylonia, Bactria and Lower Syria. Rice was
slow to emerge any further Westwards from Asia, probably because of its expense
and resistance to transplantation in cooler climes. It warrants no mention at all in the
Bible. The Ancient Egyptians, keen horticulturists and ever ready to try a new food,
did not grow it, despite the ideal conditions along some stretches of the Nile, and the
Greeks and Romans regarded it as an expensive novelty to be used a medicine.
Eastwards its progress was more successful. It is thought that rice spread with the
movement of South Chinese immigrants to the Phillipines before the first millennium
241
BC, reaching Japan by 1st century BC.
A charming Chinese legend explains the origin of rice, attributing it to Kuan Yin, the
goddess of compassion, also know as Sungtzu niang-niang, the lady who brings
children. The story goes that the rice plant had always existed but, at first, its ears
were empty. Seeing that Mankind were suffering and hungry, Kuan Yin went into the
rice fields and emptied the milk from her breasts into the barren plants. Before she
had filled all the plants, however, she had pressed so hard that blood began to flow
with the milk. That is why there are two types of rice, white and red.
The earliest appearance of rice in written records in this country is a quantity itemised
in the household accounts for the court of Henry III in 1234, and when the cereal
finally arrived in any quantity, it was the glutinous, short-grained variety which found
favour, for use in milk puddings. Initially, the rice/milk pudding was costly and
indulgent luxury, containing refined sugar and spices as well as the equally expensive
grain itself. Rich Elizabethans tended to reserve it for nursing mothers, whilst by the
time of Charles I it was regarded as an aphrodisiac.
Pudding rice remained the British favourite until Anglo-Indian dishes, such as
Kedgeree, found favour in Victorian England. Adapted from the Indian mix of rice
and dal, Kitcheri, the British (and Scottish regiments in particular) in India added
smoked fish and chopped, hard-boiled eggs, dropping the lentils somewhere along the
way, and the dish was almost a mandatory part of the British breakfast sideboard for
decades.
Thailand is currently one of the world’s greatest producers of quality rice, having
three to four harvests annually. In fact, rice is so ingrained within Thai culture that a
common phrase to express hunger is ‘I have an appetite for rice’.
Rice is far more adaptable than many people give it credit for. It is used to brew beers;
to make fermented wines; distilled to make spirits. It can be ground to provide a flour
for pancakes, dumplings and breads. By cooking , wrapped tightly, in either in banana
leaves or cooking foil, rice can also be ‘compacted’ into sliceable loaves and makes it
an interesting way to serve it as the central carbohydrate in a meal.
The most enduring recipes, however, can be traced back to the Sassinad Persians from
around 10th century AD. Modern dishes such as the Iranian Polo, Indian Pilau,
Spanish Paella, Italian risotto and French Pilaf all bear traces of influence of their
Arab forebears.
Moghul rulers of India loved pilau and, to add to the sensual enjoyment of the dish,
would have their rooms filled with the fragrance of saffron before it was served.
Ayurveda values brown, unpolished rice as being effective on all three forces which
affect bodily and mental functions, the tridoshas - Pitta: Sun (metabolism); Kapha:
Moon (body fluids balance); Vata: Wind (nervous system). It is regarded as being
sweet, cooling, diuretic, beneficial to the eyesight and a strengthening tonic for the
heart.
Unani Tibb, the system of botanical medicine and dietetics developed by the Persian
physician, Avicenna, believes that rice increases pleasant dreams and ‘produces an
abundance of semen’.
Nutritionally, brown rice, which still has the vitamin and nutrient bearing bran worn
away by milling, is far superior to the polished white. Modern processing methods,
parboil the grain before milling, causing some of the nutrients to migrate from the
outer coat to inner parts of the grain. Even so, all the essential nutrients are
dramatically reduced, if not wiped out completely.
242
Per 100g
Water
Dietary fibre
Energy
Value
Protein
Fat
Carbohydrate
g
g
k cal
kj
g
g
g
Brown raw
13.9
4.2
357
1518
6.7
2.8
81.3
Long Grain
Polished, raw
11.7
2.4
361
1536
6.5
1.0
86.8
Parboiled, raw
12.4
N
364
1523
6.7
1.0
78.7
Red raw
13.2
N
354
1481
7.4
1.6
76.0
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Iron
Copper
Zinc
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
Brown raw
3
250
10
112
1.4
0.85
1.8
Long grain
polished, raw
6
110
4
13
0.5
0.06
1.3
Parboiled raw
2
150
7
N
1.2
N
N
Red raw
2
195
18
N
1.2
N
N
Vitamins
Thiamin(B1)
Riboflavin (B2)
Niacin (B3)
Folacin (Folic Acid)
mg
mg
mg
ug
Brown raw
0.59
0.07
5.3
49
Long grain polished,
raw
0.08
0.03
3.0
29
Parboiled, raw
0.20
0.08
2.6
N
Red, raw
0.30
0.10
4.2
N
A nutrition comparison between the basic types shows that the Vitamin B1 is reduced
considerably by polishing, as are many other nutrients and valuable dietary fibre. It
was the loss of the vitamin B1, however, which led to beri-beri outbreaks in the Far
East at the end of the 19th century. Beri-beri, which takes its name from the Sri
Lankan word for weakness, causes mental confusion, loss of feeling in the feet and
legs, paralysis of the eye muscles, muscular degeneration, heart irregularities and
emaciation. In 1886 the Dutch East India Company began investigations into the
cause of the disease, but it was not until 1911, when a Polish chemist named Cosimir
Funk found that an extract rice hulls could be used to prevent the disease. He
originally believed it to be a nitrogen-bearing compound, or amine and, as it seemed
vital to life he dubbed his new discovery ‘vitamine’, a contraction of vital amine. It
was later discovered that the substance wasn’t actually an amine and so the ‘e’ was
dropped. The word vitamin, however, had arrived to stay.
Rice bran is also a good source of vitamin K, which helps blood clotting and in the
absorption of calcium, and vitamin E, which has been attributed with helping to slow
down all the harmful oxidation processes in body cells, such as ageing and the
formation of free radicals which can trigger cancers and damage heart tissue.
The Glycaemic Index, invented to help in the treatment of diabetes, and which
measures the rate at which blood glucose levels rise when carbohydrate foods are
ingested, rates brown rice at 66, Basmati rice at 58 and white rice at 72. The lower the
rate, the slower the digestion rate, keeping blood sugar levels more constant.
As with all highly nutritious foods, however, there is always a danger that other
organisms get to them before we do. The spores of the organism bacillus cereus
germinate rapidly and produce toxins in batches of cooked rice which has been left to
stand in warm, moist conditions. Unfortunately the toxins cannot be destroyed by
normal cooking methods, and symptoms, which include stomach pains, vomiting and
diarrhoea, occur as quickly as 1 hour after eating contaminated food.
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Rosemary(Rosemarinus officinalis)
Both its systematic generic name and the common are said to be derived from ros
marinus, dew of the sea, after its tendency to grow in coastal regions where it is found
wild in the Mediterranean.
The ancient Greeks believed that it improved the power of the mind and wore
garlands of it around their heads during examinations. Rosemary was also used in
Classical Rome but primarily as a medicine, and it was taken with them to their
colonies.
Later its associations grew to include remembrance and mourners who would often
carry sprigs to toss into the grave, to indicate that the deceased would not be
forgotten. Shakespeare reflected this when writing for Ophelia’s pre-suicide
ramblings, (Hamlet, Act IV, Scene IV), “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance;
pray you, love, remember.”
Rosemary was also worn at weddings to signify fidelity and was traditionally
incorporated into the bridal bouquet; Anne of Cleves wore a wreath of rosemary on
her marriage to Henry VIII - either proving it totally ineffective in this capacity, or the
king’s immunity to herbal cures. Had he been more susceptible to rosemary’s charms,
Henry may also have been able to avail himself of another benefit of the plant;
rosemary oil is a traditional remedy for gout, a disease from which he suffered very
badly. The oil is also used in herbalism to ease muscular aches and pains and was the
active ingredient in ‘Hungary Water’, a preparation made by a hermit for Elizabeth,
Queen of Hungary, in around 1235. A distillation of rosemary, lavender and myrtle, it
is said to have restored life to her paralyzed limbs.
Its antiseptic properties have been well-known throughout the ages. During the 15th
century, rosemary branches were burnt to protect homes from the Black Death and
during World War II rosemary and juniper branches were burnt in French hospitals to
prevent the spread of infection.
In popular magic, rosemary is said to be ruled by the sun and is used to promote sleep,
enduring youth, protection, love, mental awareness and purification. One superstition
held that if rosemary sprigs were placed under the pillow, it would banish evil spirits
and the nightmares they bring.
Used in incense for purification and insight and may be slightly hallucinogenic, as it
was inhaled by practitioners to promote visions and ‘the sight’. It was also used as a
cheaper alternative to frankincense.
The flowers of the rosemary were said to have once been white, turning blue after the
Virgin Mary rested her mantle over them.
Culinary use of the herb is usually restricted to the savoury side, for roasts such as
lamb, flavouring vegetables and for stuffings for poultry and fish. Slender rosemary
branches can also be used to make skewers which flavour meat from the inside-out to
stunning effect. It is said to stimulate the circulatory, nervous and digestive systems,
relieving indigestion and flatulence.
A herb for all uses, rosemary has also been used in cosmetics throughout the ages.
The oil used to stimulate the head and scalp being a common ingredient in many hair
tonics and shampoos. Herbal medical practitioners also use weak rosemary tea to
relieve headaches, dizziness, neuralgia and colds and its antiseptic properties makes
an infusion of rosemary an ideal gargle.
Modern medical scientists are also exploring the cancer-busting properties of the herb.
Apparently, it contains substances known as quinones, which have been shown in
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laboratory tests to inhibit carcinogens and cocarcinogens, chemicals which enhance
the action of cancer-causing substances.
Saffron(Crocus sativus - Kesar - Saffron crocus)
Perhaps one of Man's earlier spice 'finds', the flower that produces the stigmas that
comprise this highly prized - and priced - spice was represented in Cretan art dating
back to 1600BC.
In Greek legend, Crocus was a beautiful young man who played a game of quoits in
with the messenger god, Mercury. One of the god’s quoits hit Crocus on the head,
killing him instantly. His friends grieved for him and where his blood had spilled on
the grass, saffron crocuses sprang up.
The common name for the spice is derived from the Arabic root assfar, meaning
'yellow', as it was, originally, mainly for the intense yellow colour obtained from the
stigmas that this spice was used.
The plant is perennial and rarely grows in the wild, and has been cultivated in Europe
since the 12th century. From the 14th century up until the early 20th century, the
Essex town of Saffron Walden was the English growing centre. Saffron is the most
expensive of the spices (over £2 per gram, more than £56 per ounce), due to the fact
that each flower yields just three stigma, and, due to the variation in the length of each
of them - up to 5cm - it can take anything between 200,000 to 300,000 to make llb in
weight; add to that the fact that each stigma must be picked by hand, and it is little
wonder that this is the gold of the spice world in more than one sense. Hardly
surprising, also, are the recorded instances of criminals being burned or buried alive in
15th century Germany as a punishment for ruining or tampering with saffron crocus
crops.
Probably because of the cost, giving it strong associations with wealth and power,
saffron was attributed with ritual and caste significance, and was used to dye the robes
of royalty and holy men and to produce the caste marks worn on the forehead in India,
to where it was taken in around the 3rd century AD by the Moghuls.
These associations survived its passage across geographical boundaries, with most
cultures linking it to fertility and harvest rites, physical strength, sexual and psychic
prowess and with royalty. John Gerard, in his book The Herbal, published in 1597,
claimed that saffron possessed life-restoring properties and, in 1670, the German
scholar, J.F. Hertodt devoted a whole book, Crocologia, to the spice, in which he
stated that it will cure both toothache and plague!
Saffron was one of the earliest trade spices and was brought into Spain some time
during the 10th century, where it was adopted enthusiastically. Nowadays, Spanish
saffron, grown in the flat central plains of La Mancha is regarded as being the very
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finest, and over 70% of the world's saffron now comes from Spain, although it is also
grown in Greece, Iran, Morocco, Kashmir and Italy.
The ancient Romans used it to tint and scent their bathwater and used saffron-scented
oils for massage, introducing it to England during their stay here.
The ancient Greeks valued it as much for its subtle honey-scent and earthy flavour as
for its colour, and in Medieval Europe, it enjoyed popular use as a hair dye and
aphrodisiac amongst the wealthy classes.
The saffron stigmas contain three chemical compounds: Picrocrocin, which provides
the bitter, earthy flavour; a glycoside, safranal, which gives the spice its characteristic
aroma; Crocin, a carotenoid, which releases the intense dye with its ability to colour
up to 150,000 times its volume in water. It is this colouring power upon which the
quality of a particular variety of saffron is assessed.
Mancha Selecto, regarded as the very best, must score a colour factor of at least 180
times the stigmas' weight, although some brands exceed the minimum requirement
with ease, and this is reflected in their price. Inferior saffron is coarser, paler and
sometimes includes other parts of the flower to pad it out, thus affecting the colouring
power and providing a much more bitter taste.
Saffron was traditionally used in English cooking in sweet dishes, such as apple and
pear pies, custards, creams, syllabubs and the famous Cornish saffron buns and cakes
- although many of these products actually contain little or none of this expensive
commodity nowadays, having been largely replaced with artificial colourings.
Most other cuisines, however, see it in a more savoury light: Italian rissottos, Spanish
paellas, French bouillabaisse, and Persian pilaffs all require that little pinch of
culinary gold.
Nutritionally, saffron has very little to offer. A massive 1 tsp., ground, an amount that
no cook would ever envisage using, weighs 7 grams and has an energy value of just 2
kcalories. It contains very little in the way of vitamins - a little B2, and contains
sodium, phosphorous, potassium, calcium and iron.
However, in spite of its lack of food value, herbalists have long been convinced of its
powers as a digestive and appetite stimulant and in Persia, pregnant women
traditionally wore a ball of saffron tied around the base of the stomach to ensure an
easy delivery.
Sage(Salvia officinalis - Garden Sage)(Salvia officinalis purpurea - Red
Sage)(Salvia sclanea - Clary Sage or Clear Eye)
The botanical generic name for all the sage family is derived from the Latin salvere,
to save, cure or thrive, a lasting testament to its ancient reputation as a medical cureall. So strong was the faith in sage that, by around the 10th century AD, it had
acquired the reputation of being able to confer immortality.
Folk magic and Culpeper assigned the planet Jupiter as the ruling astrological object
for garden sage, and it was used in country magic to generate money, protection,
longevity, wisdom and used in the granting of wishes. It was said that you should
carry sage if you wish to be wise and that you should eat a little every day - especially
during May - for a long life; one old proverb asks, “how can a man die, who has sage
in his garden?”
It was thought by some to reflect the business fortunes of the man of the house,
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flourishing or withering with the state of his finances. Confusingly, another belief also
held that garden sage only grows well when a woman rules the roost, as it reacts well
to the imposition of ‘gentler values’.
Sage was the herb originally used in Europe for making tea long before the
introduction of Indian tea and the Chinese traded their own green tea with the Dutch
in return for supplies of the herb. The Chinese healers considered it to be
strengthening to the digestive system and calming to the nerves.
Medicinal : Garden sage has antiseptic and antibacterial properties and an infusion
has traditionally been used as a mouthwash to cure mouth ulcers and gum infections
and as a gargle for sore throats. Herbalists also claim that sage can aid digestion of
heavy, rich foods and can help to combat a tendency to sweating. This cooling
property also makes it an ideal remedy for fevers and flushes, especially those
experienced during the menopause. Even just the leaves, rubbed gently across the
teeth, will freshen the mouth and strengthen the gums. However, it is advised not to
use too much during pregnancy and in not too large an amount on a regular basis for
all.
Sage has had its cosmetic uses too; the ancient Romans used a strong infusion of the
herb to darken their hair.
Sage is also very attractive to bees and the honey is highly regarded by aficionados,
but even so, it was only relatively recently - the 16th century - that sage has been
given kitchen space. Gaining favour as a flavouring for pork and poultry, especially in
farcies, or stuffings, it may have initially been used in this way for its reputation as a
digestive and an aid to absorbing heavier meats and any toxicity which may be
present. It is an essential ingredient in the Italian dish, Saltimbocca, (‘jump in the
mouth), veal layered with ham and sage and the Italians use it rather effectively with
calves liver and eels.
Other favourite culinary sages are: Greek Sage, Salvia fructiosa, a lighter, more subtle
variety; Pineapple sage, Salvia rutilans, with a scent reminiscent of the fruit;
American Blue sage, Salvia clevelandii and the variety which has a slightly lavender
scented aroma, Salvia lavandulifolia. Red sage has, as can be gathered by its name,
dark purple-red foliage, but its seeds will revert to the green variety. It is thought to be
more effective in countering sore throats than ordinary garden sage and, like its
sibling, is also used for bleeding gums and mouth sores and ulcers.
In the kitchen, it can be used in exactly the same way as garden sage, adding a little
more colour. Clary sage is the largest member of this little group, growing larger and
with large leaves and its common and specific name is derived from the Latin clarus,
clear as in its folk name, clear eye. This is due to the fact that traditionally the seeds
are soaked in water to produce a mucilaginous liquid which was then used to clear the
eyes of grit and foreign bodies.
The leaves, together with elderflowers, were also used to flavour some German wines,
especially more potent Muscatels, hence the common German name for the herb is
muskatellersalbei or simply, muskateller.
The plant is also used in perfumery and aromatherapists use it for its warming,
uplifting and soothing properties to relieve tension, stress, muscular aches and period
pains. Interestingly enough, in old folk medicine, strongly mixed with the lore of
country magic, the ruling body for the clary sage is the moon, linked to its cycles and,
for that reason, used to aid and regulate the menstrual cycle.
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Salt(Sodium Chloride, NaCl)
Salt, or sodium chloride, is such a basic requirement for life, that all animals are
equipped with special taste-buds in the tongue in order that we may detect it. Salt, or
more specifically, the sodium component of the compound is needed to maintain
proper fluid balance and to control nerve and muscle activity and so all our body
fluids contain salt. which is why tears and blood always taste salty. Even saliva,
derived from the Latin word for salt, sal contains salt.
Migration patterns for early Man, historical events, riots, revolutions and even wars
have been motivated by this need for salt. It is thought that only once Man had
discovered agriculture and added more vegetables and grain to his diet did he develop
this growing need for sodium; totally carnivorous beasts do not have the same
supplementary requirement, gaining all the sodium needed from the muscle tissues of
other animals. It is said that the closer you are to true vegetarianism, the more salt you
will desire.
Salt is extracted from natural sources by several methods. Rock salt is obtained by
mining or by using a ‘well’. This method entails forcing water down one of the well
tubes, which then dissolves the salt, the resulting brine being extracted through other
tubes. Once at the surface the salt solution can be purified using a method of
evaporation. Different methods of evaporation are available: solar; steam evaporation
in vacuum pans; evaporation in pans and kettles using direct heat. Most commercial
salt uses either steam or direct-heat evaporation, as solar options, such as the
traditional methods used in the Mediterranean, using shallow coastal saltpans, is time
consuming and expensive.
Religions worldwide have given salt a prime place in their observances. Judaism
prescribes it as a prime offering to God and it symbolizes His Covenant with his
chosen; salt is sprinkled on bread at the start of the Sabbath and, in the New
Testament, Jesus refers to his followers as ‘the salt of the earth’ in the Sermon on the
Mount
Country witchcraft, too, placed a great importance on this basic commodity. Witches
and the agents of the evil powers could be identified by placing salt on their
backsides, thus preventing them from sitting down, and the superstitious, reflex action
of throwing a pinch of spilt salt over the left shoulder, stems back to a belief that it
would scatter the evil spirits that were supposed to gather there.
It is hard to believe in modern times, when salt is plentiful and cheap, that it played an
enormous part in the social, economic, political and even religious development of
most cultures. It has been used in the religious rites of the Greeks, Romans, Hebrews
and Christian. This is most evident in the legacies of the ancient Roman Empire. The
number of words we have inherited from them which have a common root in sal
indicate just how central a part of their society salt was. Salad from the extended form
salata, salted; salami; sausages; sauces, via salsa; salary, from salarium, the payment
made to Roman soldiers for their salt allowance. Herbs and oils were also added to
augment and complement foodstuffs, sal conditus.
The face of the planet was also altered in great part due to the movement and trade of
salt; the Via Salaria, a highway built by the Romans which stretched right across Italy
from the Mediterranean to the Adriatic was in direct response to the need to transport
salt to their outposts. Venice, a clever city state, rich in business acumen and eye to
the spice trade upon which it built much of its wealth, was only augmenting its
already vast wealth created by its saltpans, carved to harvest this treasure from the
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sea.
Salt was a preservative too, enabling the export and long-term storage of food,
especially fish which degenerates rapidly.
In some countries, salt was so important that the state often either took control at
some stage or levied special taxes on its sale and distribution. In China salt was the
subject of a state monopoly from before the 7th century BC. France had La Gabelle,
the despised salt tax, which prompted the nation into revolution and Ghandi led his
famous long march in protest at the British salt tax which outlasted domestic abolition
(1825) in the colonies. His mass protest march to the sea to gather a free supply in
1930 was much publicized and can be said to have lead, ultimately, to the end of the
British Empire.
Even today, Italy taxes salt, to the extent that it is sold alongside that other treasury
booster, tobacco.
The quest for salt can even have been said to have led to the foundation of the great
American oil industry. Subterranean salt deposits sometimes force a dome of salt to
ground level, indicating sizeable supplies beneath. In 1901, a party drilling into one of
these domes came upon quite a different treasure - black gold.
Medicinal : Ayurveda values salt as it is one of the basic tastes needed to ensure
perfect balance of the doshas, or life forces, as it calms all three. However, most texts
on the subject recommend sea salt as being the most therapeutic, as it contains other
valuable minerals, such as iron and magnesium. It is said to strengthen eyesight,
stimulate poor digestion, act as a heart tonic, and even act as an aphrodisiac.
Ayurvedic practitioners also believe that salt changes the consistency of saliva,
creating energy to soften food and putting an edge on the appetite; It helps to break
down food tissue and promotes salivation, hence digestion and regular bowel
movements.
However, too much sodium may cause high blood pressure and those on high salt
diets are at greater risk of developing stomach and gastrointestinal cancers. Salt is
normally excreted in urine, but some people retain the excess salt. This causes a
sodium overload; the body retains water to compensate; blood volume increases; the
heart works harder to pump the extra fluid; blood pressure rises: high blood pressure.
A lot of nutritionists believe that diet patterns in the developed world are leading to
over-consumption by as much as 200-300% and the World Health Organisation have
laid down guidelines are that we should limit ourselves to around 2,400mg per day just under 1 level teaspoon. However, it should be pointed out that this is not the
added salt from the condiment pot, but includes all hidden salt intake too.
For instance, just one hamburger from a fast food outlet can contain up to 1,200mg around half the day’s allowance, cornflakes can contain up to 360mg per average
serving, which, surprisingly, easily outstrips the much-maligned packet of crisps
which weighs in at a more humble 270mg average. When viewed in this way, one can
see how very quickly the total can rise in a society which relies so heavily on
processed convenience foods and snacks.
Because the growing awareness of this problem, several low-salt products are making
an appearance on the market. These preparations generally cut the sodium content by
half by substituting potassium in its place and should be avoided by people with
kidney problems and those who have been diagnosed as suffering from diabetes.
These groups often experience difficulty in excreting excess potassium and can build
up dangerously high levels unless they watch their intake.
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Sesame(Sesamum indicum Gingill)i
Most people associate the name sesame with the command given by Ali Baba to gain
access to the thieves den in the Tales of 1001 Nights. It is thought that the bursting
and scattering action of the ripe seed pods inspired this somewhat tenuous link.
Sesame is a native of the region which stretches from East Africa to Indonesia with
evidence of its first cultivation found in the Middle East, dating back to around
3,000BC. Sesame oil was used in Mesopotamia and tablets detailing accounts and
receipts for the day-to-day running of the palace of Nebuchadnezzar, (600BC), list
‘best quality sesame oil’, backed up by histories written by the ancient Greek scholars
record that the plant was cultivated for the oil extracted from the seeds in Babylon and
in the 1st century, Dioscorides described how the inhabitants of Sicily sprinkled
sesame seeds over their breads.
Its name is believed to be derived from the Ancient Egyptian word, sesemt, one of the
few to have passed to us in modern times, and records indicate that it was cultivated
there by around the 4th century BC. It was also grown further south on the continent
and gathered from the wild, especially in West Africa, where it was known as benni, a
name the slaves from the region took with them to the Americas when both were
transported there by the slave trade.
A fragrant, nutty seed, prized for its oil throughout the ages, even though it is one of
the lowest-yield crops, averaging a mere 150kg per hectare, (135lb per acre). It is,
however, one of the highest quality oils, high in polyunsatruated fatty acids, delicately
flavoured and slow to spoil.
It arrived in India quite early via Persia, and the seeds became quite popular, ground
into a paste as a thickening agent or used, as it is in the Middle East in a variety of
halwa. This paste also appears in the eastern Mediterranean countries, on its own as
tahini or blended with chickpeas to make hummus. The Persians also took sesame
eastwards to China, where it became much prized, gaining the name ‘fragrant oil’ and
used as a condiment in order not to lose the precious scent. As do the Japanese, who
are thought to have used it originally as their exclusive cooking oil.
The seeds themselves have been adopted as coatings and coverings wherever they
were taken and, in northern Europe, this seems to have been the only use for them for
quite a while.
Ayurveda lists sesame oil in the sweet category, said to promote growth, to strengthen
the memory, acts as an antitoxin, helps aganist burning sensations and promotes
lactation in nursing mothers.
Unani Tibb, the medical doctrine founded by Avicenna, uses sesame as a mild
laxative, in hair preparations and in liniments and poultices.
100g sesame oil gives 881 kcalories energy, 0.1g water, 02g protein, 99.7g fat, 0.1g
carbohydrate, 2mg sodium, 20mg potassium, 10mg calcium, 0.1mg iron, 0.01mg
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vitamin B1, 0.07mg vitamin B2 and 0.01mg niacin
100g sesame seeds = 588 kcalories, 4.8g water, 26.4g protein, 54.8g fat, 6.4g
7.8mg iron, 10.3mg zinc, 40µg carotene 0.72mg vitamin B1, 0.09 vitamin B2, 12.6mg
niacin.
Sichuan Peppercorns(Zanthoxylum simulans)
The dried berries of a small bush related to the citrus family and to Zanthoxylum
piperitum, Japanese Pepper or Sansho.
Known throughout the rest of the world as Sichuan pepper as they are characteristic of
the food produced in that province of China, renowned for its hot and spicy cuisine,
but called ‘flower peppers’ within China as they are said to resemble opening flower
buds.
They are actually not a true pepper, but when dried, the fruits are similar in
appearance to small, red-brown peppercorns.
Spinach(Spinacia oleracea)
Both the botanical and common name for this plant are derived from the original
Persian aspanakh. It is thought to have originated there; first evidence of cultivation is
centered there, (before 4th century), and exiled communities from that country, such
as the Parsee population around Mumbai, in India, use it a great deal in their cooking.
Its journey from Persia took it through Nepal to China by the mid-7th century AD, but
its journey westwards was a little slower, reaching Europe only through the Moorish
occupation of Spain during the 11th century, and Britain had to wait another 500 years
or so before the plant was established here.
Spinach is yet another plant which started out as a medicinal aid, used as a laxative for
the purgative action of the oxalic content - also found in rhubarb. In this country, it
was also one of the ‘spring greens’ - young vegetable tops, nettles etc., which were
eaten in the Spring to ‘clear the blood’ after a Winter of stodgy - and sometimes
dodgy - food.
A versatile leaf, spinach has been used as a filling for pastries, pasta and tarts, is a
perfect foil for eggs in such dishes as Oeufs Florentine, and the juice is a perfect
natural colouring wherever a deep green is needed. During Medieval times, spinach
was also used to make sweet dishes and some food historians see the habit that some
of us have acquired of adding a little nutmeg when cooking spinach as a remnant of
this practice.
During the middle of the last century, spinach gained a reputation of being packed
with iron, and children were forced to eat it in the belief that it would build them up
and make them big and strong. A cartoon character, Popeye the Sailorman, was
created to back up this food propaganda. Ironically, later analysis revealed that,
somewhere along the line, a food chemist had misplaced a decimal point, leading to
the belief that spinach contained 10 times more iron than it actually does. However,
spinach is an excellent source of beta carotene, which is converted by the body into
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vitamin A and a good source of vitamin B6, folic acid (very important if you are the
early stages of pregnancy or even thinking about it), iron, (although absorption of this
is hampered by the presence of oxalic acid, which hampers mineral absorption) and
potassium. One way of helping the body to absorb the vitamins and minerals is to eat
it with a sprinkling of lemon juice or with capsicums or tomatoes, all of which are rich
in vitamin C, which helps the body’s uptake of iron especially. It is also a fair source
of riboflavin, vitamin C, calcium and magnesium.
During World War I. spinach juice was mixed with red wine and given to French
soldiers who had suffered heavy blood loss and, as spinach is rich in folates which
help blood formation, this may have been based on more than just old wives’ tales.
Spinach is also a rich source of other carotenoids such as lutein, which have an
antioxidant effect and recent research at the Harvard Medical School has indicated
that a diet rich in carotenes may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration, a
common cause of blindness in the elderly.
100g frozen spinach, boiled = 21 kcalories, 3.1g protein, 0.5g carbohydrate, 0.3g
sugars, 2.1g fibre, 150mg calcium, 1.7mg iron, 16mg sodium, 640µg vitamin A, 0.06
mg thiamin, 6mg vitamin C. 100g fresh, raw spinach = 26 kcalories, 90.7g water,
3.2g protein, 0.3g fat, 3.7 carbohydrate, 71mg sodium, 470mg potassium, 93mg
calcium, 88mg magnesium, 3.1g iron, 4860µg carotene (vitamin A), 0.10mg vitamin
B1, 0.20mg vitamin B2, 1.1mg niacin, 51mg vitamin C. Total folates 123µg.
100g canned, drained solids = 24 kcalories, 91.4g water, 2.7g protein, 0.6g fat, 2.7g
2.6g iron, 4800µg carotene, 0.02mg vitamin B1, 0.12mg vitamin B2, 0.3mg niacin,
14mg vitamin C.
Star Anise(Illicium verum)
Native to China, the use of star anise by Man has been traced back to around 100BC.
Its generic name is derived from the Latin verb illicere, to attract, because of its
pleasant smell.
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An evergreen, related to the Magnolia family, the tree only produces its small,
compound fruits after 15 years and then yielding just three annual harvests. The fruit
itself is unique. Eight rough, dark brown carpels, around 1cm long, containing a
shiny, light brown, almost bronze, seed, radiate from a central stalk to produce a
‘star’. Cultivation is difficult and transplantation problems mean that it is almost
exclusively grown in South China and northern Southeast Asia.
It is said to have first been brought to Europe by an English sailor sometime in the
16th century, and was soon adopted for use in jams, puddings and syrups. Although
totally unrelated, it contains the same essential oils as anise, (anethole and anisole),
but with a spicier, warmer flavour, with just a hint of bitterness.
Ayurveda and herbal medicine use star anise as a digestive, relieving flatulence and
stomach disorders and Oriental medicine use it in a linked way to cure colic.
In Chinese cooking, it is one of the ingredients in five-spice powder, which consists of
equal quantities of star anise, cassia or cinnamon, fennel seeds and Sichuan
peppercorns, ground to a fine powder with a half-quantity of cloves.
Sugars
Naturally sweet-toothed, Man has explored many sources of natural sugar and with
his innate ingenuity has found many. Germinating seeds produce a disaccharide,
maltose, to serve as food for the potential young plant; honey, a combination of
dextrose and fructose which are split away from flower nectar by the enzymes which
occur naturally in bee saliva; manna, a substance found on some plants and trees;
palm sap, used to manufacture the strong, sweet jaggery found in southern India; corn
syrup, produced by breaking down the starches found in maize. But the two main
sources, used throughout the modern world, are cane sugar (saccharin officinarum),
thought to be a descendent of a now extinct grass originating in New Guinea, and beet
sugar (beta vulgaris).
Sweetest : lactose (milk), maltose (germinated grains), glucose (honey, fruit &
vegetables), sucrose (cane and beet), fructose, fruit and honey.
India seems to be the only place where sugar has always been as popular as honey.
So, being able to gather supplies from vegetable sources, they were less reliant on
bees. Archaeologists also believe that the Dravidians, the early inhabitants of the
Indian subcontinent, knew how to make a form of treacle from sugar cane, which they
called guda and that they may even have learned this process from even earlier
ancestors. So sophisticated had their sugar processing become by 1,000BC, that they
had developed a machine for extracting cane sugar juice and a sugar and spice mix
was used to produce a milk-curd recipe called payasyâ.
Alexander the Great (BC 334-324) sent some cane sugar back to his Mediterranean
headquarters, telling of yet another wonder of the mysterious Indies; “a solid honey
not made by bees”.
The earliest written reference to sugar is thought to be a love poem in the Atharraveda, and a Persian tablet, dated at around 510BC, refers to solid sugar from the Indus
Valley. In fact the Persians were the next society to make an improvement in the
refining process, in the 7th century AD, by introducing the use of lime to remove
proteins and impurities, producing the first ‘white’ sugar.
Europe was largely dependent upon honey as its main sweetener and what little sugar
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trickled through was so expensive and rare that it was used almost exclusively as a
medicine. After the arrival of the Moors in Spain in the 8th century, sugar cultivation
began there, but the product was still regarded as a medicinal resource rather than a
culinary one. The Iberian explorers took canes to their outposts, the Spanish
establishing crops in the Canaries and the Portuguese, Madeira.
In 1493 Columbus took sugar cane to the Caribbean, where it has thrived and become
a main cash crop.
In England, the demand for sugar only grew with the introduction of tea and coffee a
mere two hundred years or so ago, honey having served well as medicine, sweetener
and popular drink base for much of its history. The Venetians, ever ready to exploit
new demands for the exotic and valuable commodity, added sugar to its already
expansive range and were the main suppliers for most of northern Europe.
Slowly, as crops began to thrive in the various colonies, cane sugar became more
plentiful, but still quite expensive, having to be transported from such distant places,
and so other sources of sweeteners were still explored.
In 1590 a French botanist, Olivier de Serres, managed to extract the first sugary
syrup from beet, but it was not seen as a viable process at the time and nothing much
happened until 1747, when German chemist, Marggraf extracted the first sugar. Even
then, it took a student of his, Karl Franz Achard, to gain the necessary patronage to
produce sugar from beets in any great quantity. In 1800 he persuaded Frederick the
Great of Prussia to set up the first beet refinery in Silesia - more than 200 years after
the first syrup had been extracted. Another step forward for beet sugar came when in
1812, at the height of the Napoleonic Wars, supplies of cane sugar to France were cut
off, triggering a direct order from Napoleon to cultivate and exploit the alternative
source from beet. Today much of the sugar eaten in northern Europe is that derived
from beet.
Modern medicine may not see sugar as a curative, but early medical texts, such as
those of Ayurveda, value sugar as a diuretic and apurient, promoting the excretion of
waste products. Ayurveda also sees it as a useful tool for those suffering from kidney
disease, being protein free and easily digested. Similarly, in cases of hepatitis,
Ayurveda sees sugar as offering some protection to liver cells unable to tolerate fats
or proteins during the illness. Another benefit is that of the sweetness ‘telling the
brain’ that the appetite has been satisfied when eating something sweet at the end of a
meal, triggering a feeling of satiety and suppressing hunger.
Sugars exist, in one form or another, in all living things. Together with the other
carbohydrate group, starch, they provide energy. They are broken down by the body’s
digestive processes to form glucose, which is carried in the bloodstream to provide
fuel for organs, muscles and body cells. The level of glucose is controlled by the
action of two hormones; insulin (reduces glucose), and glycagon, (increases glucose).
It is estimated that around one-fifth of the middle-aged population of Britain is
glucose intolerant to some extent. That is, their blood sugar levels are slow to return to
normal after a high carbohydrate meal, indicating that they are at risk of developing
diabetes and/or heart disease.
Glucose is the main fuel for the brain, which cannot store its supply and so relies on a
consistent source from the bloodstream. A sudden drop in levels, or hypoglycaemia,
can lead to mood swings, irritability and, in very severe cases, coma and death.
Most sugars, especially the simple monosaccharides are digested quickly and provide
a quick boost of energy. However, the quicker blood sugar levels rise, the faster they
fall afterwards, which can lead to a drained, lethargic feeling - sometimes within as
soon as 20 minutes. This can be avoided by eating small, regular meals which are
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higher in complex carbohydrates which take longer to be broken down by the body.
This means that the glucose created is released more slowly into the bloodstream,
providing a more sustained, consistent flow of energy. The ideal is to eat small,
regular meals using plenty of complex carbohydrates to help the body to maintain
normal blood sugar levels.
No links have been found to suggest that excess sugar causes heart or kidney disease,
or that it leads to diabetes. Studies have even been carried out in which thin people
have been found to eat more sugar than those who are fat, leading to doubts even that
it causes obesity. Excess sugar which is not secreted or stored in the liver can end up
helping to form fatty deposits around the body.
To help in the tricky balancing act required in estimating a healthy intake, nutritionists
have developed the Glycaemic Index, which is used to measure the rate at which
blood sugar levels rise when a particular carbohydrate bearing food is ingested. Low
level GI foods are more complex and hence digested more slowly, ensuring a longer
feeling of satiety, longer term energy maintenance and keeping blood sugar levels
constant. This group include unrefined, high fibre, high proteins foods such as beans,
lentils, grains, dried fruits and pasta. High scoring foods, such as sugar, processed
foods, potatoes, fruit juices and white breads should be offset with lower scoring
foods.
One recent theory linking diets high in refined sugar with hyperactivity has caused a
certain amount of controversy. Chromium, necessary for the metabolism of sugar, is
removed during refining and without it, insulin is less effective in reducing blood
sugar levels. This led the researchers to suggest that this could increase the symptoms
of hyperactivity such as aggression and behavioural problems. However, with a lack
of firm scientific evidence with which to back this up, the medical establishment have
yet to accept this theory.
The most common proven worry with excess sugar, however, is that of tooth decay.
All starches contribute to this and gum disease, because bacteria in the mouth break
them down into acid that destroys tooth enamel, so sugar itself is not seen to be
particularly detrimental to the health - as long as the overall diet is adequately
balanced.
Sunflower(Helianthus annuus)
Introduced into Europe from South America in the 16th century, its botanical name
means ‘flower of the sun’ - helios (sun), anthos (flower). This is because the flower
heads appear to follow the course of the sun, turning to face it, hence also their
Spanish and French names, girasol and tournesol, respectively.
In ancient Peru, where they are thought to have come from originally, the sunflower
was the Inca symbol of their sun god. Sunflower headdresses were worn by their
priestesses and golden representations decorated Inca temples.
As a food, the native Americans used dried and roasted seeds to produce a kind of
cake and were also able to extract a culinary oil from them, and the young flower buds
can also be steamed or boiled and eaten in much the same way as artichoke.
Not surpringly, the first European country to receive the sunflower was Spain, from
their newly discovered lands in the Americas. However, it was initially seen as a
decorative plant, not being seen as a food source until its arrival in Russia in the 18th
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century. At that time the Orthodox Church forbade the consumption of oil-yielding
plants on fast days, but the sunflower, being a new introduction was excluded and the
seeds became a popular snack, roasted or salted, causing Russia to become the largest
producers of sunflowers. Then, in the 1720’s oil extraction was perfected in Bavaria,
leading to massive production all over Eastern Europe.
In European folklore sunflowers were believed to make wishes come true: pick a
flower at sunset, make a wish and, by the time the sun has come round again, your
wish should have been granted. It was also believed in some countries that the flower
was a means of divination and that placing a sunflower under the bed would reveal the
truth of any particular matter to the sleeper.
In country magic the sunflower was said to be ruled by the Sun and was linked to
fertility, wisdom and health, and a popular charm for a woman who wished to
conceive was to eat sunflower seeds.
In holistic medicine, such as Ayurveda, sunflower seeds are used as an expectorant
and diuretic, used in the treatment of coughs, colds, bronchitis and kidney troubles.
Nutritionally, the roasted seeds are high in the B vitamins, are a useful source of
vitamin E and are high in linoleic acid, needed for the maintenance of cell
membranes. The oil is also high in oleic acid, another polyunstaurated fatty acid
which makes it a good cooking medium for those interested in avoiding rising bad, or
LDL, cholesterol levels.
Sweet Potato(Ipomoea batatas)
Remains of sweet potato have been found in Peruvian caves known to have been
inhabited by Man since around 8,000BC. The tuber of a convolvulus vine from the
same family as the ‘Morning Glory’, it is thought to have been brought under
cultivation by about 200-100BC, well before the time of the Incas, becoming one of
the staple carbohydrates in the tropical Americas.
Its use as a food spread eastwards to the Caribbean islands and it is thought that early
trans-Pacific migration took it westwards into the Pacific Islands, reaching as far as
New Zealand by the early 13th century. This theory would seem to be supported by
the fact that many of the words used to describe the tuber in the region differ only
very slightly from the original Peruvian name, kumara.
Discovered by Colombus’ expedition of 1492 in Haiti, where it was called batatas by
the local population, the sweet varieties soon found favour with the Spanish explorers.
They took it with them to the Phillipines from where the Portuguese transported it to
the East Indies. It was also via the Phillipines route that the sweet potato was to find
its way into China: a famine in the Fujian Province in 1593 prompted an expedition to
the islands in search of food plants; the ships returned a year later bearing, amongst
others, the sweet potato. It was such a success in the province that when it travelled
onwards to Japan in the 18th century the Japanese called it the ‘Chinese potato’.
It is believed that the slave trade was responsible for the arrival of the sweet potato in
Africa, where it was accepted as another type of yam, which it resembles.
Europe and the more northern countries were a different matter, however.Unlike its
namesake, the white potato, a solanaceae tuber which grows well in cooler climates,
the sweet potato only thrives in warmer regions keeping it firmly in the novelty food
bracket until the more efficient and speedier trans-global transportations methods of
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modern times.
Nutritionally, the sweet potato is a good source of potassium, a useful source of
vitamin C and the deeper orange the potato, the more beta-carotene it provides, which
may help to prevent certain forms of cancer.
100g raw gives, on average, 91 kcalories energy, 1.2g protein, 0.6g fat, 21.5g
0.7mg iron, 0.16mg copper, 4000-1200µg carotene, 0.10mg vitamin B1, 0.06mg
vitamin B2, 1.2mg niacin, 25mg vitamin C.
100g, boiled in salted water, gives 84 kcalories of energy, 1.1g protein, 0.3g fat, 20.5g
carbohydrate, 11.6g sugars, 2.3g fibre, 23mg calcium, 0.7mg iron, 32mg sodium,
660µg vitamin A (beta carotene), 0.07mg Thiamin, 17mg vitamin C.
Tamarind(Tamarindus Indica, Imli)
The plant is thought to have originated in tropical Africa and the use of its products in
India is first documented at the end of the 13th century AD. It made its first
appearance in Britain in the 16th century, then taken further west by the Spanish.
Cultivation is now widespread throughout India and Southeast Asia.
The tree is a tall evergreen, which produces long green seed pods that look rather like
round broad beans. As these pods ripen, the flesh turns to a dark chocolate-brown.
These pods can be found in some specialist food stores, although it is the block form
with which we are more familiar in this country. The pods are harvested, peeled,
seeded, semi-dried and compressed into rectangular blocks which can be re-hydrated
and sieved to produce the tamarind paste used in many Indian recipes. However, even
this seems rather a laborious way to use tamarind nowadays, with the advent of so
many concentrates and powders available in retail outlets - and not just in the Asian
stores.
Most people in this country would probably be under the mistaken impression that
they have never encountered tamarind, but they would be very wrong. It is one of the
major ingredients in that great British contribution to world cuisine - Worcestershire
Sauce - although, even today, only four people in the whole of Lea & Perrins
actually know how much of it goes into the recipe.
In India, the whole plant is used: the pulp as a souring agent; the leaves and flowers as
vegetables; the seeds in much the same way as a grain or pulse - ground to a flour to
make cakes. In China, it is used in crystallised form to obtain their sweet and sour
effect. In fact, the main use of tamarind is as a souring agent, lending a characteristic
zing to a dish, tempered with just a hint of sweetness.
As with all plants, tamarind has not escaped the attentions of the herbalist, especially
in the holistic Ayurvedic tradition of medicine. Ayurveda lists tamarind as sour
within the six tastes, which means that its properties are heavy, hot and oily. This
group includes those plants which contain oxalic and fruit acids, such as blackcurrant,
rosehip, the citrus family, mango and pomegranate.
Medicinal : Its uses in Ayurveda are mainly as an aid to stimulating appetite,
digestion and as a system cleanser, and is also listed as being an effective antidote for
alcoholism. Mixed with sugar and a little salt, it is used for sunstroke, fever,
biliousness and acute diarrhoea, and tamarind concentrate is a good, mild laxative.
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Nutritionally, tamarind yields an energy value of around 70 calories per oz and is a
fairly good non-animal source of calcium.
Tea(Camellia sinensis, Camellia thea)
The earliest written reference to tea-drinking is to be found in a Chinese dictionary of
AD350, although it is quite likely that the practice began much earlier than that. Some
sources say that the tea plant was indigenous to southeast Asia and was brought to
China and Japan by travelling Buddhist monks.
However, if a popular legend it to be believed, it began much earlier than that, in
around 3,000 years BC, when a Chinese emperor, Shen-Nung was sitting under a
Camellia tree waiting for his servant to boil him some water. A leaf blew down from
the tree and the emperor, on tasting the resulting brew, decided that he liked it, and
Tchai or Tay, as it was called, was a popular drink in China from then on.
India and Japan have startlingly similar legends to explain the introduction of tea
where, respectively, Darma and Dharuma, during seven years of sleepless
contemplation, grew tired. In the Indian version, Darma chewed some leaves from the
Camellia and was instantly alert. In the more grisly Japanese version, Dharuma cut off
his own eyelids, threw them to the ground, where they sprang up as tea plants which
then revived him.
Early methods of tea production involved making the dried and powdered leaves into
a cake first, together with other flavouring ingredients, ready for use after rehydration.
It was not until the 15th century, during the Ming dynasty, that the more familiar
process to us, of steeping the leaves in hot water, was developed.
The Dutch brought tea to Europe in around 1610 and Britain was introduced to it at a
relatively late date, in 1657, by a London coffee house owner, Thomas Garway, who
claimed that it made the body active and lusty and that it cured ‘gripping of the guts,
cold, dropsies and scurvey’. Interestingly, Mr E.C. Dozey, quondam Examiner at the
University of Calcutta during the 1930’s, mentions in his 1937 work, Darjeeling, Past
and Present, that he managed to track down a reference to “tea pott” in the accounts
of Bess Hardwicke, Countess of Shrewsbury in 1583 - almost three quarters of a
century before the beverage itself made its appearance.
To make up for this slow start, however, the enthusiastic English had adopted the
brew as their ‘national drink’ by around the mid-18th century. By the 19th century,
the Duchess of Bedford hit upon an idea to fill in the long gap between luncheon and
supper with the new fashion of taking tea, and the marriage was well and truly
cemented, and today, around 70% of the British public drink tea at least once a day.
During the 18th century, the English East India Company held sway in the world
trade in tea, playing a major role in the introduction of China and India teas into
England and colonial America.
According to Mr Dozey’s research, the company imported 1 million pounds of tea
into Britain in 1720, retailing at 30 shillings per pound. Just five years later the figure
had risen to five million pounds and kept on rising until, in 1773, the company held
over 17 millions pounds (imperial measure) of tea in its warehouses.
However, tea was still a very expensive commodity and the average Englishman spent
as much as one third of his weekly wages in order to satisfy his thirst during this
period. In 1773, British Parliament made matters even worse for the common man,
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passing the notorious Tea Act, raising heavy taxes even further, and granting
permission to the East India Company to export their huge surpluses to America.
This huge and sudden demand on them, for what they saw as “taxation without
representation”, precipitated the famous ‘Boston Tea Party’ when 342 chests of tea
were dumped into the harbour, leading ultimately to the American Revolution. Not
surprisingly, the taxes were not popular on the domestic front, either and, despite
being closer to the excise men, by the simple expedient of smuggling it in, managed to
get away not paying duty on as much as two-thirds of the tea being drunk in Britain
during that time.
Originally China held the monopoly of the trade in tea with Europe and formed the
most valuable part of the East India Company until its charter expired in 1813 and
control of the trade passed back to the Crown. The directors of the company decided
to source other supplies, shipping in plants from China to the Himalayas, the eastern
frontiers and Nilgiri, blissfully unaware, according to Mr Dozey’s book, that the plant
was already growing quite happily in Assam and other places in India and that the
local population had been growing, manufacturing and drinking tea without any help
whatsoever from the esteemed company!
In 1904 there came a new development in tea drinking - as always almost
unintentionally. One Richard Blechynden was promoting Indian tea at the St Louis
World Fair and found that, due to the scorching weather, there seemed to be very little
interest in his product. In a moment of inspiration, he started to pour the tea over ice
cubes, inventing iced tea.
The Cantonese call tea ch’a and the Fukienese call it t’e. The Cantonese word was
adopted by Japan, India and Russia, whilst the Dutch, who brought tea to Europe,
adopted the Fukienese. The English wavered between the two, with early references
to chah and chai, strengthened by our very obvious, strong links with the Indian subcontinent. However, this was replaced in polite society with the more refinedsounding tay, staying that way until late in the 18th century, when it was converted,
finally, to tea.
Tea is divided into three categories: fermented, usually referred to as black ;
unfermented, or green and semi-fermented, or oolong
With black tea, the leaves are fermented, or oxidised until they turn a warm, coppery
colour. Green tea is steamed in cylinders or boilers and oolong teas, which have some
of the characteristics of both black and green, are partially fermented before drying.
Nutritionally, tea has very little to offer, although the stimulants it contains, such as
caffeine can increase heart rate, increase alertness and dilate the airways in the lungs,
aiding respiration. One average cup of tea contains around 40mg caffeine, almost
twice that found in cola and about two-thirds of the amount found in a cup of instant
coffee.
One of the drawbacks with tea is the presence of tannins, which not only interfere
with iron absorption, but also stain the teeth, a process which is ironically accentuated
if a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine is used immediately before drinking tea. So
be careful with that morning cuppa! Also, those suffering from peptic ulcers should
avoid strong black tea as, like coffee, it stimulates gastric acid secretion, causing
irritation and some studies have linked tea to migraines in sensitive people, although it
is not quite clear whether this is triggered by the tannins or by the caffeine.
On the good side, however, various teas, or more exactly the bioflavonoids, naturally
occuring antioxidants in teas, are being investigated for their anti-cancer properties
and, although the jury is still out on this one, green and oolong teas in particular have
been associated with lower rates of heart disease and cancers.
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An infusion of dried black leaves gives, per 100g weight, 99.7g water, minimal traces
of protein and carbohydrate, 2mg calcium, and very little else.
Chinese green tea, per 100g weight, 99.6g water, minimal traces of protein and
carbohydrate, 2mg calcium and 0.1mg iron. Any calorific values gained from teas
come from the accompanying sugar and milk used by many people.
Thyme(Thymus vulgaris, zattar)
There are many species of this herb, giving quite a wide variety of slightly different
options for flavouring purposes. Two explanations have been put forward for the
derivation of its name; one being that it is from the Greek word for courage - thyme
motifs were often embroidered onto a knight’s vestments to inspire courage before a
joust; alternatively, that it is derived from a Latin term which meant to fumigate,
cleanse in a sacrificial fire. In fact, all through the Middle Ages, sprigs of the herb
were burned in houses as a kind of air freshener and to protect the occupants from
plague.
Ancient Greeks and Romans used thyme as a temple herb and to bathe in it for vigour
and grace. Some parts of the ancient world, however, associated the herb with death;
the Egyptians used it in their embalming processes and the Welsh traditionally planted
it upon the graves of their dead.
In country magic, thyme is ruled by Venus, imparting courage, love, psychic gifts,
health and sleep, and it was believed that placing thyme under the pillow would
prevent nightmares. It was also thought that planting thyme in the garden would
attract fairies and that wearing a sprig would enable you to see them.
All plants have been used as a medicine at one time or another as a natural extension
of the experimentation necessary before a plant could be ‘cleared’ for use and thyme
has been found to be very useful indeed in this capacity.
Medicinal : Ayurveda, the ancient Indian study of life, lists thyme under its pungent
section: strengthening and cleansing. It recommends its use externally as a
disinfectant, mirroring the cleansing uses in Europe and, internally prescribes the herb
as an expectorant and to expel worms.
European herbalists, too, use thyme quite a lot. Thymol, its essential oil, is a strong
antibacterial agent, and is active against salmonella and staphylococcus bacteria,
hence the reputation as a cleanser and disinfectant; thyme tea is a traditional remedy
for gastrointestinal complaints and the oil was taken to expel hookworm. Thyme is
also an antispasmodic, making it effective in combating sore throats, irritable coughs
and bronchitis. Thyme is also good for settling the stomach and 2-3 teaspoons taken
three times a day will settle diarrhoea.
In addition, a thyme mouthwash will help mouth infections and thyme oil was used
during World War I as an antiseptic and is still used today in some proprietary
preparations for fungal diseases of the skin.
Its culinary uses are quite extensive too. Sausages, meatloaf, terrines and stuffings
have all benefitted from the addition of thyme, both for its preservative and taste
properties. It is an important herb in Mediterranean cooking, especially southern
France and Greece and Cajuns and Creoles in the States use it as one of their key
notes, and thyme is an important flavouring in Benedictine liqueur. Persian thyme, or
zattar to give it its Arabic name, is also known as wild thyme, which not only
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contains thymol, but also carvacrol, essential oils which give the oregano flavouring
favoured in Mediterranean and North American foods.
Tomato(Lycopersicon esculentum)
Tomatoes were first introduced to Europe by the Spanish, possibly from Mexico, but
more likely from Peru. A work written by the Dutch herbalist Dodonaeus in the mid1500s gives the common name 'pomi del Peru' to the tomato, indicating that its origin
was thought at that time to be Peru.
The tomato still grows wild in the Peruvian Andes, the land of its origin, but the
small, wild tomato does not bear a great deal of resemblance to the plump, red, juicy
food item that you are likely to pluck from the vegetable bin at your local
supermarket.
It seems, though, that the ancient Peruvian tribes who would have discovered the plant
made scant use of it as a food source. That privilege belonged to the more northerly
tribes of Central America. It seems an unidentified wild ancestor of the tomato
somehow made its way north.
The Aztecs called it xitomatl while other Central American tribes called it tomati. The
Spanish called it manzana or apple, apparently because that is what they thought it
was. From Spain it made its way to Italy where this "apple" was named pomi d'oro
(golden apple). Obviously a yellow or golden tomato variety, one writer described it
as being eaten with "oil, salt and pepper".
Red tomatoes were also known, but not yet in Italy. It is said that they were
introduced, not from Spain but from Morocco. When they arrived, to differentiate
them from their yellow skinned counterparts, they were given the name of pomo
d'Moro (apple of the Moors). A French visitor, intrigued by this new food of his
Italian hosts, mistranslated that when he reported upon it upon his return home. For
him it became pomme d’amour or "love apple." Thus began its reputation as an
aphrodisiac, and to this day there are some who cite the tomato’s rich, red color; its
heart shaped fruit, and its long established reputation as "proof" that eating fresh
tomatoes increases sexual desire.
The tomato that first reached Europe in 1523, brought from the ‘New World’ by the
Spanish, bore little, if any, resemblance to the uniformly glossy, scarlet globes used in
modern kitchens. Small, yellow, ridged and flattened, almost star-like in shape, this
little native of the Andes was regarded, along with its cousin the potato, with a great
deal of suspicion, as they are members of the poisonous Solanum family, which
includes the Deadly nightshade; and its Latin name, Lycopersicon esculentum or
‘edible wolf's peach’ bears more than a little echo of this doubt, perhaps.
Not all its European names are derogatory, however. Its French popular name was
pomme d’amour, love apple, endured for centuries and was shortened from the
original, more mundane, pomo dei Mori, apple of the Moors, in line with their
tradition of seeing every new and exotic fruit as an aphrodisiac.
The Italians still call it Pomodoro or golden apple, a name logically arrived at,
considering that tomatoes were originally yellow in colour, before early genetic
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engineering methods altered them to the red we expect today.
The name tomato is derived from the Aztec word meaning ‘plump fruit, tomatl.
However, they also used it, prefixed with xi- for the forebear of the tomato with which
we are familiar and the prefix mil- to describe the Mexican husk tomato, or tomatillo,
small tomato, (Physalis ixocarpa), which is a very important flavouring component in
Central American cooking. The Spanish ignored the prefixes, calling both tomate,
causing a little confusion for a while.
There has also been some confusion as to whether the tomato is actually a fruit or
vegetable. In the 18th century, botanists specified that a fruit is the organ derived from
the ovary and surrounding the seeds.
Unfortunately, at the end of the 19th century, the U.S. Supreme Court officially turned
this scientific classification on its head when it designated the fruit to be a vegetable,
at the end of a case in which a New York produce importer lost his battle with the
Customs authorities. He argued that, as a fruit, the tomato was not subject to import
duty. However, the Court ruled against him on the grounds of linguistic custom, citing
that tomatoes “....are usually served at dinner in, with or after the soup, fish or meat,
which constitute the principle part of the repast, and not, like fruit, generally as
dessert” .
Interestingly, even the Ministery of Agriculture, Farming and Fisheries in the UK,
lists the tomato as a vegetable, presumably on this same rule of ‘linguistic custom’ Botany? Schmotany, as they might say in Queen’s.
Its acceptance at the table was quite slow, and after a fairly short flirtation with the
court tables in Elizabethan England it was dismissed almost generally as a nasty, sour
little thing that was liable to make one sick.
Ironically, the tomato was seen as little more than an ornamental plant in North
America too and was not cultivated as a food crop there until well after the
Declaration of Independence.
By the mid-nineteenth century, however, attitudes, and the tomato, seemed to have
changed markedly, and Mrs Isabella Beeton simply glowed with approval in 1859
when she wrote, “In this country it is much more cultivated than it formerly was; and
the more the community becomes acquainted with the many agreeable forms in which
the fruit can be prepared, the more widely will its cultivation be extended. For
ketchup, soups, and sauces, it is equally applicable and the unripe fruit makes one of
the best pickles.” The late twentieth century finds it even more in favour as
nutritionists and modern science discover more about its chemistry. Studies at Ben
Gurion University in Israel and more recently in other universities have found that the
carotenoid Lycopene, found in tomatoes, may be very effective in helping to protect
against cancer, heart disease and degenerative eye disease, and that these antioxidant
elements are more readily absorbed into the bloodstream when the tomatoes are
cooked with an oil high in monounsaturates, such as olive.
Perhaps yet another reason that the so-called ‘Mediterranean Diet’ is associated with
reduced risk of heart disease and some cancers, such as cancers of the cervix, prostate,
bladder and pancreas.
Medicinal : In its natural form, Lycopene has been found to be the most potent
antioxidant discovered to date and that it helps to prevent the formation of oxidised
LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol which can build up as arterial plaque, leading to heart attack
and stroke. Separate studies on a group of 47,000 adult males by researchers at
Harvard University in the USA over a period of six years have found that Lycopene
seems to activate DNA damage control. The research group there suggest a possible
40-45% decrease in the risk of prostate cancer in men who eat at least 10 servings a
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week of tomato-based foods. Even better news is the fact that Lycopene seems
unaffected by processing and is also present in tomato products such as tomato juice,
purées, passata and pastes.
Tomato is also high in the natural immune booster, vitamin C; an average 100g
serving contains 22mg - more than one third of the RDA for non-smokers and lg fibre,
which may help to prevent cancers of the colon and rectum.
Chinese medicine recommends one tomato sweetened with sugar for bleeding gums
and, for all those ‘morning after the night before’ sufferers, one to two tomatoes, first
thing in the morning, taken on an empty stomach is recommended for those bloodshot
eyes.
There is a down side, though, the salicylates which are also found in tomatoes and
other nightshades, may trigger a painful reaction in arthritis and gout sufferers.
100g raw tomatoes give 17 kcalories energy, 0.7g protein, 0.3g fat, 3.1g
carbohydrate, 3.1g sugars, 1.0g fibre, 7mg calcium, 0.5mg iron, 9mg sodium, 105 µg
vitamin A, 0.09mg thiamin, 17mg vitamin C
Turkey
Several theories abound as to how this modern symbol of Christmas fare got its name.
It originated in Mexico where it was called uexoloti, so it was hardly surprising that a
new name had to be found for this strange creature.
One theory holds that the turkey,'s head was supposed to resemble those of 'I'urkish
soldiers, whose helmets were blue to the shoulders which bore red lapels. Another has
it that the name comes from the bird's 'turk, turk' call. The most logical explanation,
however, is that the birds were first imported into England in quantity in the 1540's by
traders from the Levant, who were known as ‘Turkey Merchants’.
The birds became known as Turkey birds, which was soon shortened to turkey.
Elsewhere, too, the bird's origin seems to have caused perplexity when choosing its
new name. In Germany it is known as Calecutische Hahn - Calicut Hen. The French,
receiving the bird in around 1520 from the Spanish Indies, as Spain's colonies in the
Americas were known at the time, called it Coq d'Inde, which became shortened to
dindon. The Dutch also favoured Calicut with their Kalkoen.
Ironically, India was nearer the mark with the name Peru - but only by being on the
right continent!
The man attributed with bringing the first turkeys to Britain was William Strickland
from Bridlington, North Yorkshire, He was a cabin boy with the explorer, John Cabot,
and sailed with him around the coast of South America in 1526. The crew traded with
the natives during the trip, and William came home with six turkeys which he sold in
Bristol at tuppence (just under lp) each. With each progressive trip he made, his
profits grew and he was eventually able to charter his own ship. Fortune and a
knighthood followed, and, as a tribute to the bird that made him, his coat of arms
proudly bore a turkey.
The bird was a natural for feasts and royalty took to it immediately. Henry VIII loved
it and Archbishop Cranmer tried to curb the gluttony that it seemed to inspire, by
trying to limit the number of Turkeys served to just one per feast. In the mideighteenth century, George II had developed such a taste for turkey that a section of
Richmond Park was sectioned off exclusively to rear them.
263
The bird’s popularity grew and, during the 18th and 19th centuries vast flocks set out
in August, driven on foot, to the London markets from Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and
Norfolk.
By the end of the Victorian era, turkey had gained its place at the centre of the
Christmas feast and Charles Dickens, author of 'A Christmas Carol' didn't just feature
it in his work. According to his wife Kate, in her book, 'What Shall We Have For
Dinner?', written in 1852, he ate it at his own Christmas celebrations, too.
In the modern era, cold roast turkey can lay claim to being the first meal ever eaten on
the moon! Nowadays, the turkey is no longer kept just for the rich on high days and
holidays, and quite rightly so! It's is arguably the best meat we can have in our diet. It
is very low in fat, containing just 1g per ounce of skinless flesh - most of that being
polyunsaturated. Not surprisingly, with this level of fat content, it is also extremely
light on calories at just 140 per 100g (3½oz). The same serving provides almost 50%
of the recommended daily allowance of folic acid, vital in protecting against birth
defects, and also useful in combating certain cancers and heart disease. Turkey is also
an excellent source of Vitaniin B1, and all the other B vitamins, especially niacin,
providing around 93% of the recommended intake.
On the minerals side, turkey is a good source of potassium, essential for maintaining
normal heart function and blood pressure, and phosphorus, necessary in bone and
teeth production and in the efficient conversion of energy from our food, Turkey
contains over one-third more zinc than chicken, a 100g serving providing just under
half the daily recommended amount. Zinc plays a major part in cell growth and repair,
is critical for the proper functioning of the male reproductive system, is instrumental
in maintaining a normal sense of taste and smell, and recent studies have found that it
could be a booster to our immune system.
Turmeric(Curcuma longa, Huldi)
The Latin genus name is derived from an Arabic word, Kurkum, which means saffron,
a yellow dye. As with its cousin, ginger, it is the rhizome which is used to produce
this intensely yellow, bitter, spice. The brown-skinned tuber is boiled to activate the
carotenoid Curcumin, then peeled, dried and ground to a yellow powder.
The plant is grown in China, India, Java, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam, The
Philippines and Central America. India produces approximately 12,000 tons of the
spice annually, of which 10,000 tons are for export.
Its use as a dye has been very important throughout history; for cloth, leather and even
264
the skin, cosmetically. In South East Asia, turmeric plays an important part in rituals
and religious customs: traditional weddings see its use as a dye for the arms of the
bride and groom; Indonesians use turmeric water as a cologne; Malays believe that it
offers protection from evil spirits and rub it on the stomachs of women who have
given birth and on the umbilical cord of their infants. However, these practices are not
just a question of superstition. Turmeric helps to calm inflammation and has an
antibacterial action and, originally, its use in fish dishes was probably more for this
latter property, preventing spoilage, than for any attractive colouring effect.
Turmeric amulets are also worn to bring good luck in many regions. Some Indian
communities see turmeric as a charm for newborn babies; a piece of turmeric is hung
around the baby’s’ neck, or turmeric water dabbed onto its head, until it has learned to
walk. Whilst in Bengal, a burning piece of turmeric would be waved under the nose of
a person believed to be possessed by a tree spirit, as it was believed that ghosts and
evil spirits were said to be unable to bear the smell.
In cooking, it can be used as a saffron substitute; it was known in this country as
Indian Saffron during the Middles Ages and even now the French still call it safran
d’Inde. However, the taste is very different, with a hint of bitterness. It has been used
for many years in European kitchens to dye butter, margarine, cheeses, fish, batters
and breadcrumbs.
Medicinal : In 2009 Professor Murali Doraiswamy, of Duke University in North
Carolina, said “there is evidence that people who eat a curry meal containing
turmeric two or three times a week have a lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
The key ingredient is curcumin, a component of the spice turmeric. Curcumin appears
to prevent the spread of amyloid protein plaques - thought to cause dementia - in the
brain”. This created numerous media stories of how eating curry will stave off
dementia as well as suggestions of other ways turmeric can be ingested such as with
scrambled eggs!
Homeopathy uses turmeric for jaundice, liver complaints, ulcers and digestive
problems. It is said to improve circulation and the powder will staunch bleeding. It is
even used by some herbalists as a cold cure, mixed with hot milk and sugar.
Externally, Indian medicine has used turmeric in poultices and ointments for skin
sores for thousands of years and, until quite recently, the yellow lint pads on sticking
plasters contained it. It is also believed, in India, that turmeric will discourage the
growth of facial hair.
Nutritionally, 1 teaspoon of dried turmeric weighs around 2.2gms and gives 8
kcalories, containing carbohydrate, protein, fibre, fats, and no cholesterol. Turmeric
also contains vitamins B, B2, niacin, vitamin C, sodium, phosphorous, potassium,
calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc.
Vanilla(Vanilla planifolia)
The dried fruit pods of a climbing orchid, native to Central American tropical forests
and, in particular, those of Mexico. It is indigenous to the region, with attempts at
transplantation to other countries meeting with little success until a way was found to
simulate the pollination which occurs naturally in the wild, and which enables the
formation of fruit.
In the 19th century a Belgina botanist, Charles Morren, discovered that, in its natural
265
habitat, only one species of bee and one species of hummingbird were the means by
which the plants were pollinated. But it was a slave in Réunion, Albius, who
discovered a method of hand pollination which meant that the plant could be grown
successfully in other tropical areas such as Mauritius, Réunion and Madagascar.
Of course, this labour-intensive method of pollination does make the spice very
expensive, and so finding a synthetic form of the flavour has occupied food scientists
for many years. In 1874 the first synthetic vanillin , the essential oil which gives
vanilla its flavour, was extracted from a certain variety of conifer by German
chemists. By 1925, a successful chemical synthetic was produced, using oil of cloves
and subsequent methods have utilised coal tar extracts and even wood waste. But, no
matter how successful the scientists have been in matching the chemical signature of
vallinin, purists still insist that they lack the subtle spiciness of ‘the real thing.’
Despite the expense, vanilla has been a popular flavouring worldwide for
confectionary and thrifty cooks would make the pods last longer by storing them in
jars of sugar and using the flavoured sugar produced in their dishes instead of
lavishing the actual pods on just one recipe.
In country magic, a small amount of vanilla sugar was added to love potions in order
to make them more effective.
266
The Authors
Husband and wife team Peter and Colleen Grove have written numerous books in
their journalistic careers ranging from children's books (Bornington Chronicles) to
science fiction (The Levellers) and The Ergo-Economics of Sports and Leisure
Facilities and Sports Form Guide to The National Hotel Directory (Guide to UK
Hotels with Leisure Facilities).
Initially trained in economics, Peter moved into sports journalism as the result of
being an international swimmer and county water polo player and was later joined by
Colleen at All Sports International, supplying international sports news and
information on 82 sports to national newspapers and other media working closely
with both Daily Express and Daily Mail.
In 1989 they produced The National Restaurant Directory sponsored by Carlsberg,
which later broke down into The Real Curry Restaurant Guide covering over 9000
Indian restaurants in UK. They then published The Oriental Restaurant Guide
followed by The Italian and lastly The Mood Food Restaurant Guide covering
Mexican, Greek, Spanish, Caribbean etc food.
In 1994 at the request of a group of top Indian restaurants they set up The National
Dome Grading Scheme which has been providing an inspection service to the
industry ever since and operated an annual 'Best In Britain' Awards to highlight
excellence in the industry for 15 years.
As a result of their experience they have written much of the market research that has
appeared in recent years published by a variety of marketing groups and newspapers
and have appeared on radio and television talking about ethnic food in general and
Indian in particular. They also edited Spice N Easy and Masala magazines for a short
while and have edited Mood Food Magazine for over fourteen years, in addition to
www.fedrest.com , an internet restaurant guide for The Federation of Specialist
Restaurants, originally started in April 2000, enjoying 1 million visitors a month.
Although they both remain registered sportswriters, the demands of the ethnic food
and drink sector leave them little time for active participation so you are more likely
to see them at a restaurant or chatting to chefs, rather than attending a World Cup or
Olympic Games.
In 2007 they started The Restaurant Hall of Fame at www.resthof.co.uk and
continue to organise National Curry Week first started in 1998 to raise funds for
charity. In 2008 they founded The Curry Tree Charitable Fund.
Their forte has always been research (they were credited by Daily Telegraph with
discovering details of Dean Mahomed – First Man of Curry- in 2005 leading to a City
of Westminster plaque being placed on the wall where his 1809 restaurant once
stood)( “We have historians Peter & Colleen Grove, our foremost experts on Indian
restaurants to thank for discovering the information on Sake Dean Mahomed - first
man of curry." Tim Joiner, Mayor of Westminster City Council on unveiling a plaque
marking the site of Britain's first Indian restaurant) and in this work which was 6
years in being compiled, they have tried to provide a standard volume for the industry
that will remain a classic work of reference for many years. Prior to this work they
wrote and published the very popular, “Curry Spice And All Things Nice” and ‘Curry
Culture – a very British love affair’ (IBSN 0-9548303-0-X)..
267
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Our grateful thanks to the contributors named in this work and the authors & publishers of these and
many other books and avenues of research that went into producing this volume Peter & Colleen Grove
Royal Recipes
Michele Brown
Pavilion
Legacy of the Indus
Samina Quraeshi
Weatherhill
Archaeology of the World
Courtlandt Canby
Chancellor
A Dash of Spice
Hawkins & Duff
Readers Digest
A History of Roman Britain
Peter Salway
Oxford University
Bengali Cooking
Chitrita Banerji
Serif
Bridge on British Beef
Tom Bridge
Piatkus
The Chinese Cookery
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Lo
Collins
The Complete Meze Table
Rosamund Man
Garnet
Indian Cookery
Mrs Balbir Singh
Mills & Boon
Traditional Greek Cooking
George Moudiotis
Garnet
The Food of Italy
Claudia Roden
Arrow
Traditional Spanish Cooking
Janet Mendel
Garnet
50 Great Curries of India
Camellia Panjabi
Kyle Cathie
The Complete Mexican
Cookbook
Loudes Nichols
Piatkus
The Food Medicine Bible
Earl Mindell
Souvenir Press
The Book of Fruit & Fruit
Cookery
Paul Dinnage
Sidgwick & Jackson
The World Atlas of Food
Spring Books
In Search of the Trojan War
Michael Wood
BBC
Mythology
Richard Cavendish
W.H.Smith
World Prehistory
Grahame Clark
Cambridge University
Fabulous Feasts
Madelaine Pelner Cosman
George Braziller
The Food of Japan
Wendy Hutton
Periplus
Curries & Bugles
Jennifer Brennan
Viking
Savouring The Past (The
French Kitchen Table 13001789)
Barbara Ketcham Wheaton
Chatto & Windus
The Oxford Companion to Food Alan Davidson
Oxford University
On Food & Cooking
Harold McGee
Harper Collins
A History of India
Romila Thapar
Penguin
The Dawn of Civilization
Stuart Piggott
Thames & Hudson
The Might that was Assyria
H.W.F.Saggs
Sidgwick & Jackson
History of Hospitality
David Goymour
The Great Household in
Medieval England
C.M. Woolgar
Yale University
Hobson-Jobson
Henry Yule & A.C.Burnell
Wordsworth Ref.
268
Harvest of the Cold Months
Elizabeth David
Michael Joseph
The Genesis Secret
Tom Knox
Harper Collins
Beeton’s Book of Household
Management
Chancellor Press
Food (An Oxford Anthology)
Brigid Allen
Oxford University
The Raj at Table
David Burton
Faber & Faber
The Roots & Tales of
Bangladeshi Settlers
Yousuf Choudhury
The Peopling of London
Nick Merriman
Museum of London
The Carlsberg National
Restaurant Directory
Peter & Colleen Grove
Belgrove Publishing
London & Its People
John Richardson
Barrie & Jenkins
London a Social History
Roy Porter
Hamish Hamilton
Food in Antiquity
D. & P. Brothwell
Thames & Hudson
Savouring The East
David Burton
faber & faber
Food - The Gift of Osiris
Darby, Ghalioungui & Grivetti
In Praise of the Potato
Lindsey Bareham
Penguin
Food
Clarissa Dickson Wright
Ebury Press
A Concise History of the
Darjeeling District since 1835
E.C. Dozey
Under the patronage of Rt Hon
Baron Carmichael of Skirling
G.C.I.E. K.C.M.G. first
Governor of Bengal
History of the World
W.N. Weech
Odhams
The Frank Muir Book
Frank Muir
Wm Heinemann Ltd
Myths & Legends - China &
Japan
Donald A. Mackenzie
Gresham Publishing Co.
The Travels of Dean Mahomet
Dean Mahomet
University of California Press
269
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The Flavours of History

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